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Meall nan Tarmachan ridge
To the west of the Ben Lawers range of Munros, the Tarmachan Ridge dominates the skyline with its intimidating crags, peaks and long ridges.
Meall nan Tarmachan summit on its own is one of the
easiest munros.
Main route summary
Starting at a height of over 450m and with fine tracks at lower levels and worn paths on the crests above, the route to the summit couldn't be more obvious.
Beyond the summit, things get slightly more tricky and you'll need to keep your wits about you if the mist suddenly comes down !
The terrain is very 'runnable', so much so, that every year there is a Hill Race held (see 'Alternative routes' below) !
| Munros |
Meall nan Tarmachan (1044m, Munro 89)
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| Ascent |
900m (2,950ft)
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| Distance |
12.5km (8m)
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| Time |
walking : 4:40hr*
running : 2:10hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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| Start/finish |
Below Lochan na Lairige Dam
(grid ref : NN604383)
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Profile
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Maps
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Which map to choose ?
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Downloads
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| Terrain | | easy |
 | difficult |
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| Navigation | | easy |
| testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
 | long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
 | stunning |
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| Meanings |
Meall nan Tarmachan : 'hill of the ptarmigan'
Meall Garbh : 'rough hill'
Beinn nan Eachan : 'hill of the small horse'
Creag na Caillich : 'crag of the old woman'
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Route detail & map »
Getting there
- On the A827, 6km east of Killin along Loch Tay, there is a road aiming north up to the Ben Lawers car-park).
- Another ½km beyond this, by a bridge there is another area to park cars, and this is where the Meall nan Tarmachan route begins.
Creag na Caillich
- Leave the roadside and follow a track westwards, over a bridge and to a gate with a large National Trust sign for the Ben Lawers Nature Reserve. Through the gate follow the track for a further 2km contouring around the southern slopes of Meall nan Tarmachan.
- The track reaches a junction - keep right and 500m on, keep straight-on at another junction.
- The track climbs and reaches the edge of an old disused quarry.
- As the track takes a sharp turn right, leave it and climb up the grass ahead.
- On a north-westerly bearing, the gradient lessens and a pleasant plod is taken over more grass and peat-hags to reach the ground below Creag na Caillich's crags.
- A faint path can be seen aiming for a gap in the crags north-east of the summit, from where an obvious path continues to Creag na Caillich's summit.
- Meall Ghaordaidh stands proud to the west and to the east the erroded route over the crests is clearly seen.
Beinn nan Eachan, Meall Garbh and Meall nan Tarmachan
- Return along the obvious path and drop to the col below Beinn nan Eachan.
- Follow the path up and over Beinn nan Eachan.
- The path twists and turns and changes direction to climb Meall Garbh.
- This hill has an interesting rocky summit, but no difficulties are encountered.
- Drop to a bealach with two lochans, then follow the path northwards over a broad crest to gain Meall na Tarmachan's summit with its small cairn.
Fine views on clear days !
Return
- From the cairn head north for a few metres, then turn east and drop slightly to turn southwards on the path.
- Ahead the path drops sharply, but work has been carried out to install rocky steps (slippy if icy) to aid descent.
- The path meets up with a fence-line, over which a large stile is used to gain the ground on the other side.
- A brief climb up to a minor top (marked 923m on OS maps), then a fast 2km descent can be made on the path back to the track and to the road.
Photos of route »
Creag na Caillich
Meall nan Tarmachan from its minor south-east top
Meall Garbh with Stob Binnein and Ben More beyond
West from above Cam Chreag
Looking over Stuchd an Lochain to Ben Nevis
My folks' dogs at the walk's start
Weather station on the route up Tarmachan
Ben Vorlich, Stuc a'Chroin and Killin from Tarmachan
A bleak October day on Tarmachan
Tarmachan and with Lawers beyond from Meall Garbh
Beinn nan Eachan and Meall Ghaordie from Meall Garbh
Descending Tarmachan, weather closing in
Stob Binnein and Ben More from a busy Tarmachan ridge
More photos are on Flickr !
Alternative routes »
Just the Munro
On its own, Meall nan Tarmachan is one of the
easiest Munros to bag.
| Ascent |
700m (2,300ft)
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| Distance |
7km (4m)
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| Time |
3hr
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| Terrain | | easy |
 | difficult |
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| Navigation | | easy |
| testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
 | long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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Park as for the 'Main route' described above.
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Head south-west on the track for ½km to where a small cairn by a stream, marks an obvious and fairly well constructed path up.
- Initially over heather, the path then continues gently uphill on grass covered ground.
Through a gate in a deer-fence, then shortly after turns north to continue up over a minor summit (marked 923m on th OS maps).
- Follow the path downhill a for few metres, then over a stile and up short steep and stepped section to flatten out.
- Slightly further on the path turns back on itself for the final climb up to the summit cairn.
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Return the same route.
Interactive OS map
Meall nan Tarmachan Hill Race
Typically held in October, this short hill race will see runners completing the course in around an hour
| Ascent |
700m (4,600ft)
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| Distance |
9.5km (6m)
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| Time |
1-2hr
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| Terrain | | easy |
| difficult |
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| Navigation | | easy |
| testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
| long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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Run on for the first in April 2010, this race is organised by the Killin Outdoor Centre and raises funds for Cancer Research. It is now run in October as part of a weekend of hill racing, socialising and ceilidh dancing
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Parking is available at the Ben Lawers car-park, but the start is by the bridge as in the 'Main route' described above.
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Runners head south-west on the track for ½km to where a marshal by a small cairn and stream, directs them onto an obvious and fairly well constructed path uphill.
- Initially over heather, the path then continues gently uphill on grass covered ground.
Through a gate in a deer-fence, then shortly after, runners turn north to continue up over a minor summit (checkpoint and marked 923m on th OS maps).
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Downhill a for few metres, then over a stile and up short steep and stepped section to flatten out.
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Runners must take the marked course where the path turns back on itself for the final climb up to the summit cairn.
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The route then turns south and follows the path towards Meall Garbh.
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The race doesn't climb to the summit of this little crag, but instead, after passing a small lochan and two posts, a marshal directs runners on a path.
The path gradually disappears into the grass and rush, but the route then is flagged down to a checkpoint at a gate on the track below.
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Runners then follow the track back to the start.
Interactive OS map
Other hill routes nearby »
Accommodation & food »
Forecasts & other useful info »
Guided days on these mountains »
Our next guided event on the Meall nan Tarmachan ridge will be part of an extended weekend winter hillwalking with the Lawers range over
2-4 December.
More information on the event is
here.
If you would like a bespoke day or two hiking over these peaks, we would be delighted to organise something for you and your group.
Check out our
Bespoke Guiding page for more information.
