Anyone taking a walking tour of the West Highlands will find it hard not to encounter Crianlarich. Both the A82 and the railway line north from Glasgow to Fort William pass through the village, as does the West Highland Way itself.
However, the village is not just somewhere to pass through and maybe stop for a night. It is also a wonderful base for walkers, with a series of self-contained Munro walks; peaks that cannot be bagged together in one go, but instead offer a series of expeditions to bag one or two more on the 3,000 ft ticklist. They can form a fantastic part of any West Highland walking tour.
The most prominent peaks of all are the twins of Ben More and Stob Binnein. At 3,852 ft and 3,822 ft respectively, they are easily the highest mountains in the area. In the whole of Breadalbane, only the 3,982 ft Ben Lawyers to the east is higher.
Ben More is the more visible of the two from the village, but it is also very steep, especially in wintry conditions, when nothing short of crampons will get you across the wind-blasted icy surface of its summit area. However, the views northwards are stunning in any weather, providing ample reward for walkers.
Better still, the high ridge that connects the peak to Stob Binnein offers a dramatic high-level crossing and a relatively simple ascent to the day’s second Munro, with a descent from the western flank of the peak providing an easy way down into Glen Dochart and the A85 road out of Crianlarich.
To the west of the village, the peaks on the south flank of Glen Falloch offer a series of two-peak excursions. These include bagging Cruach Ardrain and Ben Tulaichean together, combining An Caisteal with Beinn a’ Chroin, or heading further down the glen for the solitary summit of Beinn Chabhair. None of these are technically challenging, especially in summer.
These Munros are anything but isolated; there are many more to the north, with another singular and lengthy – but highly rewarding – ascent being that of Beinn Challum. North of this lie the various Munros and Corbetts around Tyndrum, while to the south-east of Beinn Challum are several more peaks like the Munros of Meall Glas and Sgiath Chuil, plus the Corbett of Beinn nan Imirean.
Anyone seeking gentler walking can enjoy the 2,140 ft Graham of Fiarach to the north-west of Crianlarich, which can be reached by diverting from the West Highland way, although finding diversions through the pine forest is not easy.
The forest and the fine views it offers over Strath Fillan are one of the highlights of the area for West Highland Way walkers, as are the Falls of Falloch on the long climb through Glen Falloch to the village.
These are not just for those walking the 96-mile route to enjoy, however, while those exploring this area for its own sake rather than passing through can come off the route to enjoy more local treats, such as a summer swim in Loch Dochart.
For a small village, Crianlarich is well equipped with hotels, a village shop, pubs and a youth hostel, not to mention a splendid tea room at the railway station. It’s a great part of the Highlands to pass through, but an even better one in which to stay and explore.