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Cruach Ardrain

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1046 m (3431 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN40922123
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
87 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Stack of the high region
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  50   Glen Orchy & Loch Etive
  56   Loch Lomond & Inveraray
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Cruach Ardrain is a very craggy "Y" shaped mountain with two parallel long ridges running NW towards Crianlarich either of which can be used for access.

The more W of the two NW ridges is the normal access route from the track in Coire Earb to Grey Height (685m) then SE to ascend the W face of the mountain, or more usually onto the SW ridge for an easier ascent.

It is not recommended that you approach Coire Ardain through commercial pine forest to the MW as this takes you onto very muddy paths.

The more E of the NW ridges can be accessed from the path in Benmore Glen to the E, however, this route is very steep in places and not recommended. A third ridge runs SE to Beinn Tuliachean with a spur SW to the very craggy Stob Glas (815m).

Hazards you may encounter on Cruach Ardrain include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Cruach Ardrain

Cruach Ardrain from Auchtertyre.

© Donald Brown
Image by Donald Brown

From Grey Height to the north.

© Andrew Gibb
Image by Andrew Gibb

Cruach Ardrain from Beinn Tulaichean

© Richard Humble
Image by Richard Humble

The summit of Cruach Ardrain, with Ben More and Stob Binnein behind.

© Neil Macleod
Image by Neil Macleod
View All 32 Images for Cruach Ardrain

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Ben Oss
by Metcheck
Cruach Ardrain Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Cruach Ardrain.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Cruach Ardrain
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1480 m 15.82 km 6 hrs Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean  A moderate route with some steep slopes and crossing an unbridged stream (easier in dryer weather).  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Cruach Ardrain

  Baggers Gallery for Cruach Ardrain

Final Munro - Bob and I at top of Cruach Ardrain

© Lindsay Hemmings
Image by Lindsay Hemmings

Cruaich Ardrain

© Tony Dick
Image by Tony Dick

Me, Lesley and Jen at the summit 20.04.13

© Claire Cassidy

Image by Claire Cassidy

Billy in the mist at the top of Cruach Ardrain.

© John MacBean
Image by John MacBean
View All 40 Baggers Images for Cruach Ardrain
The logging section stores any entries for Cruach Ardrain in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
David Griffin on 17 Oct 2023
Mark Taylor on 25 Jul 2023
Niki Swan on 13 Jun 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean
by Graham Gaw
Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain
by Nico Boxhoorn
Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain
by Brendan Waters
Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain
by Kenny Mcneill

Post a few words about Cruach Ardrain or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 13 comments. Would you like to view all 13?
Cameron Gair
wrote on
August 9, 2009
Climbed with my son from Car Park on A82 in around 5.5 hrs round trip. Stuck to the Munromagic route reaching Cruach Adrain in around 2 hrs 15 mins and then onto Beinn Tulaichean which was fairly easy before returning by same route. Crossed the rickety bridge and up the boggy path next to the fence at the edge of the cut-down forest to reach the ridge. The walk along the ridge is fairly easy although up and down a bit before a steep climb to join the path which connects Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean marked by a very small cairn. Weather poor with wind, rain and low cloud. GPS was useful.
Kevin Woods
wrote on
July 1, 2009
Instead of starting from the A82 car park by the River Falloch, an ascent to Grey Height can be made directly from Crianlarich, by starting from the park by the Youth Hostel. A path can be followed out of Crianlarich, where following signs will take you onto the forestry tracks. Following the track upwards - take a right, a left then a cairn will mark a turn off point on the right. A rough path can be followed onto Grey Height. I've used this path several times now and is practical if using the trains. Others seem to be ascending this way as well given the numbers I've seen on it.
Andrew Blair
wrote on
June 15, 2009
13/06/09 - Climbed solo from Keilator Farm railway underpass. Skirted forest using track then crossed river via a very 'rustic' bridge. Steep climb to Grey Height almost killed me but was probably down to hangover & lack of breeze. Onwards to Meall Dhamh where I met chap from Strathaven Climbing Club who accompanied me to Cruach Ardrain. Thunder cleared us from summit before we could admire Ben More & Stob Binnein for too long. Continued solo to Beinn Tulaichean where I began to fade on the return leg as a result of the pain from the massive shin blisters I had developed wearing my new boots.
Kevin Woods
wrote on
September 7, 2008
Climbed 2008-09-07 with Ben More, Stob Binnein and Tulaichean - made for a long day out. Approaching the summit from Stob Garbh was problematic, to an extent. This side is incredibly steep and although the path runs straight up the rather daunting looking face without many problems, a few moments had me pausing for inspiration. That was, with some pretty huge and steep drops behind. Unless you are comfortable with such exposed moves, it's probably easier to traverse around to the southern slopes and climb up from there. Otherwise, the ridge to Tulaichean was superbly simple - a nice walk.
Peter King
wrote on
July 25, 2008
Climbed with Ben Tulaichen in cloud with occasional welcome sunny breaks. Basically followed the "Munro Magic" route which sensibly avoids the start through the forest. Varied the route by heading directly ESE for top of Cruach Ardain from approx NN40102150 (shorly after descent and reascent following Meal Damph) the path is less well used than the "bypass" route but is safe and clear, this avoids back tracking between waypoints 6 and 7 on Munro Magic route.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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  Route Write-Ups
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