Photographs, route description and maps of Beinn Udlaidh above Glen Orchy and the West Highland Way

Bothy at Invergaunan

in Glen Orchy

beneath Beinn Udlaidh

Beinn Udlaidh from Beinn Bhreac-liath

( Note the long band of white quartz

running down the north ridge )

West Highland Way - Rannoch Moor and Bridge of Orchy on ascent of Beinn Udlaidh

View of The West Highland Way

past Loch Tulla

and Bridge of Orchy

on ascent of Beinn Udlaidh

River Orchy and Loch Etive

from Beinn Udlaidh

Glen Etive Munros

from Beinn Udlaidh

Ben Lui

from Beinn Udlaidh

Summit cairn on Beinn Udlaidh

Ben Starav from lochan on summit ridge of Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh

Beinn Udlaidh

on ascent of Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh

Route Map for Beinn Udlaidh

and Beinn Bhreac-liath

BEINN UDLAIDH & BEINN BHREAC-LIATH - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Bridge of Orchy
Map: OS Landranger 50 (GR 281 332)
Distance: 8 miles ( 13km )
Time: 5 hours
Terrain: paths and open hillside

While the southern aspect of these two Corbetts is nothing to shout about, the northern ﬂanks hold some impressive rocky corries, easily accessed from the road through Glen Orchy. Although both peaks have undistinguished rounded summits, the combination makes for a surprisingly enjoyable and distinctive round trip with ﬁne views north to the Bridge of Orchy Munros, the Black Mount, Glencoe and Ben Nevis.
Leave the A82 just south of Bridge of Orchy and follow the minor road through Glen Orchy, past Invergaunan. This solitary white farmhouse lies at the foot of the peaks, surrounded by a few pine trees and rough, open pasture.
Continue south past the farmhouse and over the bridge across the Allt Ghamhnain where a large pull-off offers easy parking.
Walk back along the road and follow the access track to Invengaunan, skirting the house to the right (west) to gain a rough track leading up the glen. Follow the track to where it ends and continue on the rough footpath beyond, to a point opposite the edge of the conifer forestry on the other bank of the river. Cross the river to gain the northern ridge of Beinn Udlaidh. This starts steeply before becoming broader, deﬁned by a line of quartz outcrops streaking up the hillside.
On the lip of Coire Daimh, a short section of sharper ridge curves rightwards, offering good views west to Ben Cruachan, before a ﬁnal scree and boulder slope leads to the broad summit plateau and a cairn. It is an excellent vantage point with clear views of most of the major summits of the area, the location spoilt only by the remains of an aerial and associated ironmongery.
To continue to Beinn Bhreac-liath follow the broad summit plateau south then gradually east, avoiding scattered cliffs to gain the bealach between the peaks, followed by a steady ascent up moderate grassy slopes to the small cairn marking the summit.
Descend north along the ridge towards the head of Glen Orchy. After a mile or so the ridge ends and steep grassy slopes are descended northwest to rejoin the track utilised on the outward route, which is then followed back to Invergaunan.