Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy

*** To help you follow the route with confidence we provide these route notes to help you. The West Highland Way is well waymarked, but we strongly suggest that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

Rejoin the trail at Beinglas, from the restaurant turn left at the junction to begin following the thistle way-markers north along River Falloch.  The West Highland Way route doesn’t pass by the Falls of Falloch, but around at 1.50 km you should get spectacular views of this 30 ft high waterfall.  Here the trail makes use of a restored military road as you cross the railway and A82 to trace the lower slopes of Kirk Craig passing the village of Crianlarich down on your right-hand side. Crianlarich (a 2 km return detour from the trail) has a couple of pubs, the Crianlarich Hotel, public toilets and an ATM.  The viewpoint from the slopes of Kirk Craig hill is a lovely spot to stop for a picnic!

From here the Way crosses the valley floor to pass by the St Fillan’s Priory at 14 km, some ruined walls are all that remain of this 12th century monastery that King Robert the Bruce had rebuilt as a priory to honour St Fillan after the Battle of Bannockburn.  From the priory the trail keeps to the valley floor and continues towards the village of Tyndrum – look out for signs of the old mine at Connonish just before the path comes to Tyndrum with the railway on your left-hand side. 

To enter the village, turn right off the West Highland Way at 18.60 km, where the path crosses a road leading to the railway station of Tyndrum Lower on your left.  Follow this single-track road into the village. On reaching the A82 as it passes through the village of Tyndrum turn left for the public toilets, the Real Food Café, TJ’s Diner, and the Green Welly Stop. 

Rejoin the trail at the junction near Tyndrum Lower train station and follow the West Highland Way thistle signposts north to pass the northern end of Tyndrum.  Alternatively, follow the A82 through Tyndrum and at 600 m turn right off the road after passing the Green Welly Stop to pick up the trail here.

Continue to follow the thistle way-markers north on good paths and tracks towards the hamlet of Bridge of Orchy, on your right-hand side you’ll pass Ben Odhar (a Corbett at 901m) and conical Beinn Dorain (a Munro at 1076m). The trail bears left, crosses the railway and arrives at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.