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Beinn Dorain & Beinn an Dothaidh
Quick Facts
This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
1245 m

An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.

Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.

Route Time
5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
13.38 km
 

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.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  50   Glen Orchy & Loch Etive
Only £6.29  (£13.49 Laminated) from  

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

 Notes
Easy route but for the relatively steep ascent/descent of Coire an Dothaidh.

Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.

We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.

 Travel Information

Head to: Tyndrum

From Tyndrum (A82) travel N 11km to Bridge of Orchy, and park in railway station car park.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 1,245 metres. Allow 5 hours to complete this 13.38 km route.

In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.

The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.

Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.

The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.

Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.

 Route Information
Waypoint Detail
  Start from Bridge of Orchy Rail Station carpark
  NN29973954 Distance
Altitude
190 m
1
Pass under railway and follow path on S bank of Allt Coire an Dothaidh E to col (744m)
NN32533984 Distance
2.83 km
Altitude
744 m
2
Ascend SSW turning S onto north ridge of Beinn Dorain
NN32373868 Distance
1.20 km
Altitude
1000 m
3
Continue SSE on ridge to summit
NN32573786 Distance
0.85 km
Altitude
1076 m
4
Return NNE along ridge
NN32373868 Distance
0.85 km
Altitude
1000 m
5
Return to col
NN32533984 Distance
1.20 km
Altitude
744 m
6
Ascend N to the west top of Beinn an Dothaidh
NN32694093 Distance
1.25 km
Altitude
1000 m
7
Head E to summit
NN33184084 Distance
0.48 km
Altitude
1004 m
8
Return to W to the West top
NN32694093 Distance
0.48 km
Altitude
1000 m
9
Descend S to col
NN32533984 Distance
1.25 km
Altitude
744 m
10
Reverse ascent route back to carpark
NN29973954 Distance
2.98 km
Altitude
190 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

 Weather
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)
West Highlands
by Met Office
Ben Lui
by Metcheck
Images of Beinn Dorain & Beinn an Dothaidh
Route 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.

Rating & Reviews

 Rating & Reviews
Rated:
 from 13 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by John Gilchrist on 04 Jan 2009:
As a winter alternative, we approached from Achaladair farm and ascended via West Gully of Beinn an Dothiadh. (Straightforward Grade 1). This allowed a clear traverse of both summits and return to Bridge of Orchy via normal ascent route. Two cars meant we avioded the trudge back along the road to starting point.
 
Written by Kevin Woods on 13 Nov 2008:
I climbed this pair on 2nd November 2008 - snow above 700m, clear skies, and excellent visibilty. The path up to the col was, in addition to being steep, covered in a thick layer of flat ice. Care was needed but the going was a lot easier than others had suggested. I was quietly surprised Dorains summit is a beautiful view point, and the descent from here revealed the easy way down that didn't seem so obvious during the ascent. Beinn an Dothaidhs three tops made for enjoyable walking, with beautiful views in all directions.
 
Written by Craig Dunderdale on 07 Jun 2005:
A very obvious baggers path from the railway station under the bridge. At the beallach head south first, it's an obvious path if you concentrate and on the return you will be able to see the route for Dothaidh.Fantastic sunny day and very little mud it you pick your route. Don't upset the Station master and park in the car park although you will save 50m ascent if you did! I nearly climbed this along with Achallader pair and if I had 11hrs and got a taxi in the summer days again definately would. It took 5hrs.
 
Written by Jon Todman on 05 May 2004:
Went on a gorgeous day, and witnessed those amazing views all the way up. The trek to the bealach is muddy then steep, but generally pleasant. Got a bit lost when we tried following the path to the Beinn Dorain summit (it gets quite ambiguous), and somehow ended up scrambling up a bit of a worrying angle. All seemed so obvious on the way down.
 
Written by Stephen Graham on 12 May 2003:
Enjoyable route with some great views over Rannoch moor from the top of Beinn an Dothaidh. On the way back down you can see the pub most of the way which helps to spur you on...
 
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
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