Telford’s Road to Meall Beag
NN297396 Head downhill past the Bridge of Orchy Hotel to cross the old bridge (built as part of General Wade's military road system). As the small road bends right, take a gate opposite just to the right. The wide, stony path slants uphill through scrubby regrown forest, north-west. At the forest top it zigzags sharply left, then back right to a large cairn on the spurline, with views north across Loch Tulla.
NN286410 Continue down the wide path to rejoin the road with Inveroran Hotel just on your left – an excellent place for a bar meal. Continue left along the road over a bridge; the grassy riverside here is a traditional campsite. The road bends north, crosses a larger river Abhainn Shira, and ends at Forest Lodge.
NN270422 Take the smooth track running up to the right of the lodge building, passing a West Highland Way information board. The track rises gently, soon above a plantation with Loch Tulla below. 4.1km from Forest Lodge, another plantation is seen to the left of the track.
NN282462 At the high point of the track, and just before the end of the plantation, bear off to the right. Head north-east across a wide moorland saddle, peaty and a bit heathery as well. Aim directly for the steep sided little hill Meall Beag, whose name means small hump. The going gets better on the rising ground and the summit is an outstanding viewpoint. In settled weather you can camp here, with any slight breeze serving to keep away the midges; or head down whichever is the sheltered side of the hill. The slightly larger adjacent hill rejoices in Marilyn status and has equally fine views, but in some winds gets traffic noise from the A82. If you got your supper sorted at Inveroran, you can now devote the rest of an uninterrupted evening to photography, mindfulness or deer spotting – hopefully avoiding having to do the Highland midge dance!