This 656m Graham and Marilyn to the south of Tyndrum offers a fantastic viewpoint for the surrounding hills of Crainlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. Ascent is relatively straightforward albeit it steep, on a zig zag path alongside the old lead mine workings. Descent is also steep and is off path on grassy hillside.

  • Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
  • Ascent: 550m / 1800 feet
  • Terrain: Some forest paths/tracks, steep stony path, rough hill path, grassy hillside. Can be a bit wet underfoot in places.
  • Start / finish: Tyndrum Lower Station (various options for parking, transport, toilets and refreshments in the village)

Meall Odhar Route Map

Meall Odhar walking route map

Starting from Tyndrum Lower Station cross the railway at the level crossing (take great care). Immediately turn right onto a path through the trees which forms part of the “Cattle Creep Trail”. After about 500m the path reaches a river and area of mine spoil. The Cattle Creep trail goes right at this point back to Tyndrum, but for the hill follow the path as it bears left and starts to climb steeply up the stony hillside. When the trees are left behind the path starts to zig zag its way up the hill. There are old lead mine-workings in the area which have been fenced off and the path stays away from them. From time to time, stop to look back at the view over Tyndrum. At the top of the zig zags, the path (now quite feint and wet underfoot) turns right to approach the summit cairn of Sron nan Colan (590m).

Continue over grass and short cropped heather/heath in a north westerly direction aiming from the next obvious rise, the 569m summit of Drochaid an Droma. After the coll between the summits the path makes an intermittent reappearance. From this fine summit the route south west up the slopes of Meall Odhar is pretty obvious and the path becomes a bit more obvious following the line of a stony dyke. The summit itself lies slightly off the obvious route to the west. It could be easy to miss this in poor visibility. The views from here are spectacular, particularly toward Ben Lui and Beinn Chuirn with the Eas Anie waterfall.

Descend south east down the steep grassy slope aiming towards the forestry plantation. Head for a gap in the trees and then go through the gap. At the 350m contour an easily climbed fence is reached. From here continue across the rough grassland (now much less steep) aiming for an obvious landrover track. Use this track to reach the main Cononish track (via an openable deer gate) and turn left. Keep an eye out for vehicles on this track, it is the access to a gold mine sited further up the glen.

After 1km on the main track, branch off left on another obvious track through a gate into the forest. From here it is approximately 2.5km on forest track back to the level crossing at the station.