Have your own adventure with the #1 outdoor app today.
Trossachs: Cruach Ardrain and Ben Tulaichean from A82 Parking near Crianlarich
Trossachs: Cruach Ardrain and Ben Tulaichean from A82 Parking near Crianlarich
Seán Donohoe went for a hike
April 24, 2026
Trossachs: Cruach Ardrain and Ben Tulaichean from A82 Parking near Crianlarich
04:41
17.0km
3.6km/h
1,170m
1,170m
Snow-cooling on a warm afternoon 🥵
A return to hiking in the Trossachs after 4 years! I was keen to explore more of this beautiful national park.
I picked two Munros near Crianlarich, a village in the northwest of the park. Cruach Ardrain and Ben Tulaichean, although accessible from the A82, certainly have a remote feel to them.
The thing I noticed about hiking in the Trossachs is that the paths and tracks don't always link up easily to allow a loop route. The result was that it my route to these two Munros would be an out-and-back.
The weather was sunny and unusually warm for April. I wouldn't need the ice axe I'd brought 'just in case', 😄 even though I could see a few snow patches higher up on the mountains. With a mid-afternoon start, straight from the off, I was cutting it fine to get back down before dark!
Starting up a track in Glen Falloch, I then reached a turn-off and crossed a bridge to follow a squidgy grass track up alongside a forestry plantation. After a steep pull up, I reached a broad ridge and the views began to expand. I continued up on easier ground to the Gray Height (the first top).
The walking after this was undulating, steady going up to Meall Damh, where I met some people who pointed out eagles flying in the distance. 🦅After I quick break, I continued down and then on an upward traverse of the shoulder of Cruach Ardrain, which was tough going (although not technical).
In the unexpected heat, I was pleased to find a snow patch where I cooled down my head and arms! ❄️ This became a theme of the walk 😄 On reaching a junction on the shoulder, most of the hard work was done.
I turned left to head up to the summit (another snow patch in the gap below the summit cairn!) The views to Ben More and Stob Binnein, the twin giants of the Trossachs, were magnificent.
After a quick break, I headed back down to the junction and continued straight on for Ben Tulaichean right ahead. The was much easier than Cruach Ardrain and I was on the summit in half an hour, looking back to Cruach Ardrain. There were great views all round, surrounded by layers of mountains.
I headed back down and up the shoulder (another cooling snow patch!). All I had to do now was return the way I had come... it felt like a long way out, and there were plenty of ups and downs.
The evening sun was glorious and I made it back down to the forestry track at sunset and out to the car park just before dark! A very serene route, with only a handful of people. And what a return to the Trossachs... I was ready for a good sleep 😴💤
Waypoints
Route Details
Elevation
Highest point (1,090 m)
Lowest point (230 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free