ROUTE STATS

Distance 13.5km (8½ miles)

Total ascent 1100m Time 6½ hours Start/finish Lay-by (stretch of old road) on A82, 2km south of Crianlarich, east side of road (NN369238) Nearest town Crianlarich

Terrain Steep-sided ridge of grass and rocky knolls, with most rocks avoidable. Steep grass or snow for part of the way up Beinn a’ Chroin. Grassy slopes, soggy valley bottom, and gravel tracks

Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 384, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 50, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Crianlarich Accommodation SYHA Crianlarich (NovMar, Fri-Sat), www. hostellingscotland. co.uk Also By the Way Hostel, Tyndrum, although it is closed Nov-March, www. tyndrumbytheway.com Public transport Crianlarich rail station is nearby. Better, the Citylink coach Glasgow to Fort William and Portree passes start thrice daily, 0871 200 2233, www.traveline. info

Guidebook Walking Loch Lomond and the Trossachs by Ronald Turnbull Tourist info www. visitscotland.com

Best pub Rod and Reel, Crianlarich, 01838 300271 (during winter weekends only)