Beinn Dorain was the aim, from below it seemed to have retained a little of its winter coat of snow but it was worth going up, especially on a glorious spring day. This huge, pointed summit above Bridge of Orchy greets drivers as they crest the hill above Tyndrum on the A82, acting like a magnet to walkers who want to reach the top of this most mountainous of mountain summits.
The walk up, however, is deceptive. It is fairly steep on the way up Coire and Dothaidh, and along the broad ridge, but not nearly as steep as the southern slopes seen on the drive to the start.
On this particular day I turned back before the summit, unsure if the ice axe and crampons I had left at home would be needed. Remember, even in late spring, the higher mountains can hold on to winter. It was still a great walk, however, and from that height the views were superb.
Below the mountain is the little straggle of houses which makes up Bridge of Orchy, as well as a very walker-friendly hotel. If there was ever a walk where you come down, have a drink and think “I want to live here” this is one. Before you leave, make sure you go behind the hotel to the stone bridge and look back at the view up to a fine mountain.
Munro baggers would include Beinn an Dothaidh in this walk and it is quite an easy addition, lying the other side of the bealach at the stop of Coire an Dothaidh. Others are content to leave that for another day and spend more time enjoying the summit views from Beinn Dorain, encompassing a myriad Munros in all directions.
DISTANCE: 6¾ miles/ 11km
HEIGHT CLIMBED: 3,110ft / 950m
TIME: 5 to 6 hours.
MAP: OS Landranger 50.
PARK: Heading north along the A82, about 6 miles north of Tyndrum turn left just before the Bridge of Orchy Hotel into a large car park.
THE ROUTE: Cross the A82 in front of the hotel and go up a minor road to the railway station. Take the underpass below the rail line, go through a gate and cross a track, taking a path to the left. This goes to the left of a radio mast and then bears right, up to the steep-sided Coire an Dothaidh. Eventually you reach the bealach and its cairn.
Go right and walk up a steep path to a small lochan which you pass on the left.
The path then goes up another steep section. At the top of this skirt round the right side of a rocky outcrop and then bear left to reach the top of the main, broad ridge. Follow the ridge up to a large cairn before dropping down slightly before rising up to the actual summit and its cairn.
Return to the bealach and drop back down Coire an Dothaidh to the start – unless adding Beinn an Dothaidh on the other side of the bealach.
