Cruach Àrdrain

Cruach Àrdrain, at 1,046 metres, has a distinctive outline that makes it a familiar landmark from the Crianlarich and Tyndrum area, and is usually climbed together with its satellite Munro, Beinn Tulaichean.

The traditional route starts from Inverlochlarig Farm near Balquhidder, climbing pathless, steep, and rugged slopes to Beinn Tulaichean first before a more defined ridge path leads north to Cruach Àrdrain, with a short sharp descent and reascent before the true summit — actually a short distance past two small cairns, easy to overlook — is reached. From here the view sweeps down Coire Àrdrain towards Crianlarich, taking in a wide array of Southern Highland peaks including Ben More and Stob Binnein.

An increasingly popular alternative approaches from Crianlarich itself, avoiding boggy forestry paths shown on some maps by following a track towards Coire Earb and cutting up to gain the minor top of Grey Height, from where a good ridge walk leads to the summit — a genuinely rewarding route, though it means reversing back over Cruach Àrdrain to include Beinn Tulaichean, with some of the reascent avoidable by traversing high on the west side.

The round trip from Inverlochlarig taking in both Munros is around 12.5 kilometres with roughly 1,037 metres of ascent, typically six to eight hours; the Crianlarich approach is comparable in length and effort.

The approach and descent slopes on both routes are notably pathless and boggy in many places, with some slabby rocks and broken crags to negotiate on the descent — this demands genuine navigation confidence, particularly in poor visibility, and is not a straightforward waymarked walk despite the ridge itself being reasonably clear once gained.

Parking at Inverlochlarig is informal and reached by a long single-track road; the Crianlarich approach uses a small layby on the A82, with Crianlarich itself served by both rail and Citylink coach services.