Anyone hoping to climb all the Grahams (or Marilyns) will sooner or later have to tackle An Cruachan. This is a very remote hill, and the route in from Iron Lodge involves a 52km round trip. However, in September 2003 I discovered a much shorter and easier route to this hill, which involves access from the east. From the locked gate at Struy Bridge (NH400405) it is possible to drive 15 miles up Glen Strathfarrar along an excellent tarmac road, and across two dams, to park by the power station at Gleann Innis Loichel (NH183379). Head off west along a well-constructed track which turns into a good footpath after about 1km then ends abruptly at Clach an Damh in some boggy ground. Continue west through a small area of peat hags onto more open ground where the going gets much easier underfoot. Gradually descending, make for a gap between two prominent stony outcrops. This lines you up with the lowest point on the ridge 1km north-east of the summit of An Cruachan. The stream crossings are easy enough except for Allt Riabhachan, which might prove a problem in spate. Once across, there is a small area of peat hags before reaching the grassy flanks of An Cruachan. Make your way north-west up easy grassy slopes to the col between An Cruachan and Beinn Bheag. From there it is a delightful walk on dry ground to the distinctive summit cairn, where the view is magnificent (though some rocky outcrops just west of the summit look slightly higher than the base of the cairn). The return is by the same excellent route, which is easier than the map would suggest, and at 20km is less than half the distance of the Iron Lodge approach. Note that the gate at Glen Strathfarrar is open between 09:00 and 18:00 from Easter to the end of October (though closed on Tuesdays and Sunday mornings). Permits are obtained at the gatehouse (phone 01463 761260) and only about 20 vehicles are allowed at any one time up the glen. It pays to arrive early, especially as the gate sometimes opens as early as 08:30.
