크루아찬 저수지 주변 최고의 가족 하이킹 & 워킹 코스

View from the dam down the valley

Tough but rewarding climb to top of dam.

Start of this epic route

Deep beneath Ben Cruachan is a massive pumped-storage hydroelectric power station, which generates power when water from the Cruachan Reservoir is released into Loch Awe. Built in 1965, it works in a similar way to the Dinorwig Power Station in Snowdonia, storing energy in periods of low demand and providing vast amounts when demand peaks. For example, If Scotland ever reach a World Cup, it'll be needed when everyone turns the kettle on during half time breaks – though there are obviously more realistic scenarios. You can walk along the edge of the dam, enjoying the views to the awesome horseshoe of mountain peaks above.

smallest of the hills but with brilliant views. Best path is at the back gully, not the front grassy part as it's just boggy, long walk without a path. The gully can be muddy but takes you along beautiful waterfalls and cascades

The Cruachan Reservoir is 396 meters (1.299 ft) above Loch Awe, and is 316 meters (1,037 ft) long. The reservoir has a length of 23 square kilometers (8.9 sq mi), and is capable of holding 7 gigawatt-hours (25 TJ) of energy. Environmental regulations meant that the dam had to have a "clean" structure, so the operational equipment is located within the dam itself. The penstocks are a pair of tunnels, 260 meters (850 ft) long and inclined at 56 ° from the horizontal with a 5.3 meters (17 ft) diameter, which then bifurcate into four steel lined 190 meters (620 ft) long, 2.5 meters (8 ft 2 in) diameter shafts. The penstocks underwent a major inspection and refurbishment in 2003. The Cruachan Reservoir is 396 meters above Loch Awe and is surrounded by a 316-meter dam. The reservoir has a catchment area of ​​23 square kilometers, and is able to hold 7 gigawatt hours (25 TJ) of energy. Environmental restrictions called for the dam to have a "clean" structure, so the operating machines are inside the dam wall itself. The pressure tubes consist of a pair of tunnels, 260 meters long and inclined 56 degrees from the horizontal, with a diameter of 5, 3 meters, which then branch into four steel-lined 190 meter long, 2.5 meter diameter shafts.  The pressure pipelines were subjected to a thorough inspection in 2003.