Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh, Bridge of Orchy
Beinn Dorain is one of the most instantly recognisable Munros in the southern Highlands, a huge conical peak that dominates the A82 when driving north from Tyndrum. Its ascent can easily be combined with neighbouring Beinn an Dothaidh which has a fine outlook over Rannoch Moor.
TERRAIN
Eroded paths for much of the route, some wet sections. These mountains are steep in parts and difficult to navigate in mist.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bridge of Orchy is well served both by Citilink buses and by its train station.
START
Bridge of Orchy car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.
DEER STALKING INFORMATION
North of Beinn an Dothaidh-Achalladair/Chreachain ridge: Blackmount Estate (East). Stalking between early Aug and 20 Oct. No stalking on Sundays. If further information is needed please phone 01838 400255 between 7am and 8am Mon-Sat.
Walk Description
STAGE 1
Beinn Dorain is a peak which has long been admired by passing travellers as it so dominates the route north. It was famously celebrated in the poem Moladh Beinn Dobhrainn (In Praise of Beinn Dorain) by the eighteenth century Gaelic poet Duncan Ban MacIntyre, who wrote of its 'blooms in agreement, like a great music' - anticipating the modern outlook of ecology. There is a car park close by the hotel in Bridge of Orchy. Begin the walk by crossing the road and following the lane signed for the train station.
STAGE 2
Follow the lane to the right (ignoring the level crossing ahead) towards the station, following the West Highland Way. Pass under both sides of the railway line using the underpass. Go through a gate onto a track, and then leave the West Highand Way, crossing the main track and instead taking a stony one to pass to the left of a transmitter mast. The broad path continues uphill, and then forks. Take the right hand branch, which climbs the moorland keeping to the right of the Allt an Dothaidh. It is a pleasant climb up into the grassy bowl of Coire an Dothaidh, surrounded by wide slopes dotted with crags.
STAGE 3
The climb out of the corrie involves a steeper section of path which has become badly eroded. There's then an upper coire before the final climb up to the bealach at 744m. From the bealach the view to the east reveals a glimpse of Loch Lyon in the remotest reaches of Perthshire.
Both Munros can be tackled from here, and it matters little which you climb first. For Beinn Dorain, follow the path that clibms southwards, passing over some slabby rocks at first, before gaining a grassier plateau. Continue along the path which twists and turns before climbing up to gain a better defined ridge.
The path forks at one point - the right hand branch keeps below the ridge and passes to the west of both the summits before cutting back to the top from the far side. It's better to stay on the main, left-hand, path which continues along the ridge a large cairn. In mist many mistake this for the summit, but actually this is Carn Sasunnaich (the Englishman's Cairn and perhaps a suggestion that Gael's have little respect for the navigational skills of those from the south of the border).
On the main path, continue from Sasunnaich to the next bealach and then follow the ridge up to the true summit of Beinn Dorain. At 1076 metres this is a great viewpoint, especially around the southern arc, whilst Loch Lyon is well seen to the northeast. Return along the ridge to the bealach above Coire an Dothaidh.
This time follow the path towards Beinn an Dothaidh. This climbs northeast across the slopes at first to avoid a steep section; beyond it the path continues up very broad and grassy slopes before becoming boggy and somewhat lost around Coire Reidh. Continue across the boggy area to regain a path which climbs up to the bealach between the main summit of Beinn an Dothaidh and its more distinct southern top.
Head north to reach the true summit of Beinn an Dothaidh at 1004m. It has a fine view over Rannoch Moor (with Ben Nevis beyond if the day is clear). However, it would be a real shame to come this far and miss the best view on the mountain, which is from the west top just a short walk away.
Cross the gentle slopes west to reach the large cairn at around 1000m; the finest view of all is from a small cairn just NW on the edge of the crags, with a magnificent outlook over Loch Tulla, with Stob Ghabhar and its satellite peaks looking magnificent behind. From here you can descend gentle slopes back into Coire Reidh to rejoin the path, and then follow this back down to the bealach. Retrace your steps from earlier in the day to head all the way back to the Bridge of Orchy.
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