Ben Dorain Walk
Length: 5.5 miles (4-6 hours)
Start: Bridge of Orchy Station )GR NN300397)
Not over strenuous but bad underfoot whilst following the burn to the ridge. Easy to get lost in mist. Steep slopes to beware near top.
Height 3523 ft
This is a good afternoon's walk but is about an hours drive from most parts of the Trossachs. The walk up gives some spectacular views of waterfalls and crags on the adjacent hill 'Beinn a Dothaidh' but the best part is the comparatively effortless walk from the bealach between the two hills to the summit of Ben Dorain. Views from the summit are excellent with unusual aspect to the west end of Loch Lyon.
The Route
Park ar Bridge of Orchy railway station and walk under the track then veer left to head for the communications tower which you walk past beside the burn. Follow the burn using some mucky tracks (eroded peat) up to the corrie where the burn tumbles down through a bit of a boulder field. Unfortunately the track follows the burn which makes life difficult in wet weather, but the wet weather brings reward in the form of an impressive waterfall on Bein an Dothaidh.
On reaching the bealach at the top of the corrie, bear right and follow the track heading for the highest point you can see to the south at all times. There are several false summits, one with a cairn, but the true summit (GR NN325379) is obvious when reached.
Take care here as the slopes to the south and west are sheer.
Return by the same route.
If including Beinn a Dothaidh, return to the bealach (NN325399) and look for a track heading just north of east. After a hundred metres or so the track veers to north east and roughly follows the burn round to north. As this track becomes very wet and boggy, look for a convenient point when the summit to your right comes into sight and head directly to the summit. There are 2 summits, the east summit at NN332409 being the highest point, and the west summit at NN327409 a few feet lower, but arguably having the better views over to Bienn Achaladair to the northeast, and Stob Ghabhar and 'White Corries' to the northwest.
Return to the bealach from the west summit by taking a line almost due south and keeping the cliffs in sight to the west of you. As you near the bealach avoid some crags in the direct line. Descend to Bridge of Orchy by the ascent route.
Warning - in misty weather the path is hard to follow in places as it passes over exposed rock slabs. Take care not to stray to the edge to the west side of the path. An easy walk in good weather but increasingly hard to navigate and walk in poorer weather. Bald rock slabs make this a considerably harder proposition when icy.
Start: Bridge of Orchy Station )GR NN300397)
Not over strenuous but bad underfoot whilst following the burn to the ridge. Easy to get lost in mist. Steep slopes to beware near top.
Height 3523 ft
This is a good afternoon's walk but is about an hours drive from most parts of the Trossachs. The walk up gives some spectacular views of waterfalls and crags on the adjacent hill 'Beinn a Dothaidh' but the best part is the comparatively effortless walk from the bealach between the two hills to the summit of Ben Dorain. Views from the summit are excellent with unusual aspect to the west end of Loch Lyon.
The Route
Park ar Bridge of Orchy railway station and walk under the track then veer left to head for the communications tower which you walk past beside the burn. Follow the burn using some mucky tracks (eroded peat) up to the corrie where the burn tumbles down through a bit of a boulder field. Unfortunately the track follows the burn which makes life difficult in wet weather, but the wet weather brings reward in the form of an impressive waterfall on Bein an Dothaidh.
On reaching the bealach at the top of the corrie, bear right and follow the track heading for the highest point you can see to the south at all times. There are several false summits, one with a cairn, but the true summit (GR NN325379) is obvious when reached.
Take care here as the slopes to the south and west are sheer.
Return by the same route.
If including Beinn a Dothaidh, return to the bealach (NN325399) and look for a track heading just north of east. After a hundred metres or so the track veers to north east and roughly follows the burn round to north. As this track becomes very wet and boggy, look for a convenient point when the summit to your right comes into sight and head directly to the summit. There are 2 summits, the east summit at NN332409 being the highest point, and the west summit at NN327409 a few feet lower, but arguably having the better views over to Bienn Achaladair to the northeast, and Stob Ghabhar and 'White Corries' to the northwest.
Return to the bealach from the west summit by taking a line almost due south and keeping the cliffs in sight to the west of you. As you near the bealach avoid some crags in the direct line. Descend to Bridge of Orchy by the ascent route.
Warning - in misty weather the path is hard to follow in places as it passes over exposed rock slabs. Take care not to stray to the edge to the west side of the path. An easy walk in good weather but increasingly hard to navigate and walk in poorer weather. Bald rock slabs make this a considerably harder proposition when icy.