Beinn Heasgarnich & Creag Mhor, Map 378W
16th April 2005 & 14th November 2007

Route: 1485m=4865' ascent; 16 miles; 9 hrs.

Directions: From Killin, cross R.Lochay & take road left up Glen Lochay for about 6.5 miles to the indicated parking. There used to be parking at Kenknock House (marked on older maps) but this is no longer possible. The hydro-electric road from Kenknock north over the pass is metalled and used to be open, but is now gated.
Route: If there is a strong prevailing wind, consider doing this walk in a clockwise direction instead so that the weather is behind on the ridge.
There are alternatives at the beginning and end. One can start by walking WSW along the hydro electric road for two miles to the Allt Bad Odhar and ascending Beinn Sheasgarnaich from there. This is probably a better start than that described in the table below because the terrain is less boggy. One should also finish by returning along this upper road as it is very much pleasanter than the one along the valley floor.
There are a large number of gates on the horizontal hydro-electric track at 400m, and these are connected to a plethora of deer fences running upwards and downwards perpendicular to track as well as one running parallel to the track higher up the hill. This means that you are almost certain to have to climb over a deer fence a couple of times.
There are also some very tiresome, extensive new tree plantations where the peat has been turned over. One is west of the bridge over the Allt Bad a' Mhaim.
The only significant difficulty is ascending the NE ridge of Creag Mhor. It is straightforward in good conditions with visibility as there is a clear path. However, the viability of a direct frontal assault is questionable without crampons and visibility when the path is buried beneath snow. If necessary bear right: ascend W below the cliffs to the NW ridge then veer round and ascend S/SE up the NW ridge to the summit of Creag Mhor. In the reverse direction, a similar detour is advisable in poor conditions.
Of course, time is also a problem in winter, but several miles at each end are along tracks for which a head torch provides sufficient light. All the rough walking can be completed during daylight if a reasonable pace is kept.
For those wishing to do Corbetts as well as Munro tops, it may be worth adjoining Meall nan Subh to the ascent of Beinn Sheasgarnaich and perhaps tackling Creag Mhor and its top separately. At the far western end there is another Corbett, Cam Creag, 884m, NN37583460, which might be appended to the walk as the connecting bealach is relatively high at 725m. However, it already forms part of a very enjoyable round with Beinn Challum and the Corbett, Beinn Chaorach.

N.B. The footbridge one mile west of Kenknock marked on the 1:50000 map at NN453356 has long since disappeared, making it more difficult to ascend the Munros south of the River Lochay from the same starting point as here. The hydro-electric road bridge at Kenknock and the footbridge at Badour are the alternatives for those hills.

Weather, 16/04/05: 4°C at car, cold east wind, two inches snow above 2000', so walked the route from E to W. Almost no paths visible anywhere, partly because of snow. Low cloud, 800m base, but dry all day; light wind. Direction finding was difficult because of the topography, cloud & lack of paths.
14/11/07: (Slow, unfit day.) 4°C. Mostly sunny.