Meall Corranaich and Meall a’ Choire Leith are the quieter siblings in the Ben Lawers range — sharing the same car park but drawing a fraction of the foot traffic. That works entirely in your favour. We had these mountains almost entirely to ourselves, and at 795m of ascent over 11.25km, they make for one of the more manageable double-baggers in the Breadalbane hills. A perfect half-day outing or a complement to a weekend that includes the main Lawers peaks.
These were Munros 35 and 36 for us, marking a return to the Ben Lawers range where we’d bagged our 7th and 8th Munros a few years earlier. Heading west from the car park instead of north towards Lawers felt like exploring the back rooms of a house you already know.
Route Overview
- Meall Corranaich — Munro — Rounded Hill of Lament — 1,069m
- Meall a’ Choire Leith — Munro — Rounded Hill of the Grey Corrie — 926m
- Total distance: 11.25km (out and back)
- Total ascent: 795m
- Moving time: ~4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate — steady gradients, no scrambling, broad summits
| Munro Name | Pronunciation | Translation | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meall Corranaich | Myall Cor-an-ich | Rounded Hill of Lament | 1,069m |
| Meall a’ Choire Leith | Myall a Chor-uh Lay | Rounded Hill of the Grey Corrie | 926m |
From the same NTS car park used for Ben Lawers, you head west instead of north. The route climbs Meall Corranaich via its south-east ridge, descends to the bealach, then climbs Meall a’ Choire Leith before retracing the route back.
Getting There and Parking
The starting point is the NTS Ben Lawers Nature Reserve car park on the minor road between Loch Tay and Glen Lyon (PH15 2ET). Parking charges apply — NTS members free. This is the same car park used for Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas, so arrive early on summer weekends.
From the car park, head west rather than north — the difference in foot traffic is immediately noticeable.
Meall Corranaich — The Ascent
The path starts fairly well-defined as you cross the hillside towards the south-east ridge. The initial section crosses some boggy ground, so waterproof boots are essential. As you begin the ascent, the gradient is steady rather than brutal — a long, sustained climb up grassy slopes with the terrain becoming stonier as you gain height. The ridge narrows slightly towards the top but nothing requires scrambling.
The summit sits at 1,069m and offers superb views across to Ben Lawers and out over Glen Lyon. Despite the translation — “Rounded Hill of Lament” — it’s actually a pleasant summit with a modest cairn and a real feeling of being tucked away from the crowds.
The Bealach and Meall a’ Choire Leith
From Meall Corranaich, you descend north-west into the bealach. The drop is around 200m on grassy, easy ground. The climb up Meall a’ Choire Leith from the col is the shortest section of the day — at 926m, it’s the lower peak and the ascent is quick and direct.
The summit is broad and rounded — true to its name, “The Rounded Hill of the Grey Corrie” — and can be tricky to find the high point in poor visibility. On a clear day the views north over Glen Lyon and back towards the Ben Lawers range are beautiful, and the quietness compared to the main Lawers path is striking.
The Descent
We retraced our steps back over Meall Corranaich and down to the car park. The descent is straightforward and the views over Loch Tay on the way down are gorgeous, especially in the afternoon light. Total moving time came in at just under 4 hours — one of the shorter days we’ve had in the mountains.
When to Climb
Summer (May–September) is ideal — the paths are at their driest and you can combine these with Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas over a weekend. Autumn brings golden light and excellent visibility. Winter is a solid choice as the terrain is gentle, though the broad summits can be disorienting in clag. Crampons may be needed on icy slopes. Spring can be boggy on the lower sections.
Combine With
The obvious pairing is Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas from the same car park — either on the same day for a four-Munro epic (25km+) or as a separate outing. Stuchd an Lochain and Meall Bhuide in Glen Lyon are about 30 minutes’ drive west. Schiehallion is also within easy reach.
Tips for This Route
- Head west from the car park, not north. It’s easy to follow the crowds towards Ben Lawers by mistake.
- These are perfect for a shorter day. At under 4 hours of moving time, they fit well into an afternoon or as a second day paired with the main Lawers peaks.
- Broad summits need navigation. In clag, the rounded tops can make finding the high point tricky. Bring a compass.
- The bealach is pleasant. Don’t rush through it — the grassy col between the two peaks is a nice spot for lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Meall Corranaich and Meall a’ Choire Leith worth doing? They lack the drama of Ben Lawers, but the quietness, manageable distance, and the feeling of having two peaks to yourself make them well worth the outing. Perfect for a shorter day or when you want Munros without the crowds.
Can you do all four Lawers Munros in a day? Yes — strong walkers combine all four from the same car park. It’s a long day (25km+) but doable in summer with an early start.
Where do you park? NTS Ben Lawers Nature Reserve car park (PH15 2ET). Charges apply, NTS members free. Same car park as Ben Lawers.
Are these suitable for dogs? Yes — gentle terrain with no scrambling. The NTS requests dogs on leads through the nature reserve to protect rare plants and ground-nesting birds.
