With its pastoral patchwork of woods and fields flanked by big green hills, Glen Lyon is a great place from which to start a walk. At over 30 miles it's often quoted as the longest glen in Scotland too, and if you've ever crawled at a snail's pace down the winding single track road and wondered why it's taking so long to get anywhere, then its grand scale won't be lost on you. Up on the hills there's easy-going striding on sheep-nibbled turf, and wide-ranging views across the central and southern Highlands. The individual summits may not be much to write home about in themselves, but done in a single loop these four neighbouring Munros make an enjoyable and fairly relaxed day out. NB. Access has long been an issue on the Chesthill Estate, which is infamous for its obstructive attitude towards walkers. It's up to you how seriously to take their signage, bearing in mind that they have no right to prevent you walking here responsibly. For some mysterious reason they would prefer we all walked this circuit clockwise (if at all); you are under no obligation to abide by such a nitpicky stipulation.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 10.87 miles (17.50 km)
Total ascent: 1,334m
Steepest Gradient: 39% (1 in 3)
Time: 6 – 7 hours (Walking)
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Summits
Meall na Aighean 981 mCarn Mairg 1041 m
Carn Mairg - Meall a' Bharr 1004 m
Meall Garbh 968 m
Carn Gorm - An Sgorr 924 m
Carn Gorm 1029 m
Additional Information
Start/Finish:Car park at Invervar - down an unsigned turnoff near a phone box, NN665482
Nearest town:
Aberfeldy or Killin
Terrain:
Paths are easily followed all the way, and the ground is mostly fairly gentle and grassy.
Seasonal variations:
In winter conditions it's worth considering the avalanche risk, since you'll be crossing curvy grassy slopes at a variety of orientations through the day.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Cairngorms & Monadhliath – Met Office: East Highlands
Public transport:
Bus from Aberfeldy to Fortingall, then a 7km road walk or a hitch hike up Glen Lyon http://www.travelinescotland.com/welcome.do;jsessionid=3505B26586FECEF3E4DA33E356418176.sc1
Guidebooks:
A standard route in all the Munro books, though the circuit is usually described in the clockwise direction rather than my anti-clockwise round (just trying to be different). Try The Munros, Paul & Helen Webster, Pocket Mountains http://www.pocketmountains.com/store/product/4_mountain-guides/7_the-munros/
Maps:
OS Explorer 378 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 386 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 51 (1:50,000), OS Landranger 42 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Killin (08707 200 627); Aberfeldy (01887 820276)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach 21 Jan
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023