Get Lost Mountaineering

Beinn an t Sidhean aka Ben Shian from Strathyre

Start/Finish

Strathyre car park behind village store. There is also another car park at the south end of the village.

Distance/Time

7 km      About 2 – 3 hours

Peaks

Beinn an t Sidhean (Ben Shian), 572 m, NN 547 178.      OS sheet 57: Stirling and the Trossachs

Introduction

This is a relatively straight forward walk with a path all the way to the summit. The path is generally in good condition but has some steep sections and a few boggy sections higher up. There are excellent views in all directions. On a clear day one can see Ben Ledi, Ben Vane, Ben More, Stob Binnein, Beinn Ghlas, Ben Lawers, Meall an t- Seallaidh, Ben Vorlich, Stuc a' Chroin, Beinn Each, Beinn Stacath and Creag Mhor. The views alone justify the ascent.

Route

(1) Walk out of the back of which ever car park you are in to join the cycle track then follow this north until it meets a minor road from the A84. Turn left and go over the bridge. Reach a junction and turn left along a minor road. Soon reach the start of the path up the hill which is signed “An Sidhean”. Follow the path up until it joins a forestry track. Turn right for about 200 m until another signed minor track goes off left and uphill. Follow this track which soon curves south and gradually narrows to a footpath. Reach a sign saying it is the last waymark. A very short detour left leads to an excellent viewpoint with large flat rocks ideal for sitting on. Return to the path and continue upwards. Eventually the good path becomes grassy and boggy in places and short diversions may be necessary. By now, you are clear of the plantations but there are still isolated trees. Continue on the path which gradually curves around to the right and steepens. It leads up to the foot of the south top where the path splits. The main path goes to the south top which is well worth the short detour as it is an excellent viewpoint. Retrace to the path junction then follow the other path, roughly north. Step over a fence (the stile has fallen apart!) and continue on the path, boggy in places. Go over an intermediate top then continue to the flat top (2 isolated trees on 24/5/22) where a few rocks mark the summit of Beinn an t Sidhean (Ben Shian), 572 m.

(2) Retrace the outward perhaps revisiting the south top and viewpoint. Reach the minor road at the bottom then turn right onto a path which leads past the school. Further on, turn left at a sign for the car park and follow the path over a suspension bridge to the back of the south car park. Continue ahead if parked behind the village store.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 24^th May, 2022.