Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a' Chochuill – Southern Highlands

This is a glorious outing to the two Munros at the centre of a grand 7.5-mile (12 km) ridge that separates Loch Etive and Glen Strae. While slightly overshadowed by the nearby Cruachan massif, Beinn a’ Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich are worthy objectives in their own right and feature magnificent views of Ben Cruachan and Glen Etive.

As it’s possible to start this hike from the train station at Dalmally, this is what is detailed here. However, those arriving by car can save quite a bit of time by starting from one of the car parks at the eastern end of Loch Awe. The first section from the train station follows the A85 for 2 miles (3.2 km), before turning right onto the minor Glen Strae road.

After it crosses the Allt Mhoille stream, turn left to gain a track towards the mountains. You gain height steadily across the lower flanks of Beinn Eunaich’s south ridge and turn right at a junction, before turning left again to ascend the steep ridge above. This delivers you to the high ground between the two Munros.

Enjoy the Highland vistas as you first head across to the summit of Beinn a’ Chochuill and then retrace your steps and venture over to Beinn Eunaich. Loch Awe sparkles far below, with the impressive ruin of Kilchurn Castle standing proud on a peninsula at its eastern end. However, it’s the mighty Cruachan massif and its multiple peaks that will take your breath away.

To descend from the summit of Beinn Eunaich, head towards the head of Loch Awe down the broad, grassy south ridge. The final descent from the ridge is fairly steep, so take care. Before long, you rejoin the path you came up on, which you can follow back to the A85.