Hill Walking
Cruach Ardrain is walkable direct from the village, while Beinn Tulaichean, Ben More, Stob Binnein, Ben Challum, Meall Glas, Sgiath Chuil, Beinn Dubhchraig, Ben Oss and Ben Lui are a very short drive (or cycle) away.
Within about 30 mins drive, you’ll find the Arrochar Alps, Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond and the Bridge Of Orchy hills, with Glencoe not much further.
There are 30-odd Munros and a good number of Corbetts within 25KM (as the crow flies) from Crianlarich.
Winter Climbing
Beinn Udlaidh, Beinn an Dothaidh and Ben Lui are within easy reach, with Glencoe a bit further.
Road Cycling
There are many possibilities for road cycling in the area. For a short loop, try Glen Orchy (56KM), for a longer loop, cycle around Loch Awe (150KM) (could also use train/car to shorten this [to 100KM] by starting at Dalmally). For some hills to grind up, try a loop through Tarbet (Via A82) and the Arrochar Alps returning via Inveraray, Dalmally &Tyndrum (112KM). Beware that the A82 is busy/narrow. Set off early, or use the train (Crianlarich–>Tarbet)!
Other options are to head towards Killin (by car or bike). If biking pick up the minor road after 12KM. From Killin, make loops of:
- Ben Lawers (via the old breadalbane hydro roads). Head down Glen Lochay, then over to Pubil, and down Glen Lyon. Cake at the Bridge of Balgie Cafe then over the Ben Lawers pass and back to Killin.
- Same as above, but carry on down Glen Lyon, popping out at Kenmore, before picking up the minor road around the back of Loch Tay back to Killin.
- A loop of Loch Tay!
Rock Climbing
Glen Coe and Glen Etive or for sport climbers, new routes have been developed in Glen Ogle. Further afield, Benny Beg offers more sports routes.
If the weather favours indoor climbing then there are indoor walls at Kinlochleven, Fort William and Stirling
Mountain Biking
Loch Lyon Loop: Start at Tyndrum. Join the WHW at the Tyndrum Shop (Streetview Link). Head up the hill, soon enough you’ll be off-road. Keep following the WHW. It turns into technical singletrack for a short section before sending you under the railway. Descend to the junction at ‘Gleann Ach’ innis Chailein’ (NN327 357). Leave the WHW here (don’t go over the bridge), rather take the track to the right keeping the river on your left. Stay on this track under the (left-most) railway bridge and up into the glen. A number of fords maintain interest (NB: These are the easier fords, those around Loch Lyon are faster/deeper). The track starts to climb until it gets to the end of the path marked on the OS maps at NN368 397 (Weir/Bridge). If you fancy nailing a Munro, loch bike to the fence and hike up the steep slopes of Beinn Mhanach (~1.5hrs return for the hike). On the bike again continue along the track, descending now towards Loch Lyon. There is a good track right around this (not marked on OS map). For the best of the limited descents available, do it Anti-Clockwise. Several river crossings (all ridable) again maintain interest! Another Munro, ‘Beinn Heasgarnich’ is climbable from the south side of the loch at about NN402405 in about 3-4Hrs return. Once you reach the dam at Glen Lyon, take your photo’s, but don’t try to use it to cross (as you can’t get out the other side!). Hit the tarmac, (past the generating building if you wish), and then onwards, over a road bridge, keeping an eye out for a gated track to your left (NN459 419). Take this track, and climb gradually, for good views over the dam and loch. Descend on the track, and continue to the ford at ‘Gleann Meran’. Ride this ford and continue around the loch to complete the loop. The return leg is the same as the outward leg offering a fast descent from the weir/bridge back to the WHW. Distance: 48KM. Grade: Moderate/‘Red’ due to ride-length and river crossings. Some photos.