I have run and walked this route that takes in Meall a’ Bhuachaille both clockwise and anti-clockwise. I recommend you check the wind direction and choose to run or walk the ridge with the wind at your back.
I think it’s a tougher outing going clockwise because you have the long ridge to tackle and it runs generally uphill over a number of summits to reach the highest point of 810m on Meall a’ Bhuachaille. Heading anti-clockwise, means that once you are on Meall a’ Bhuachaille, the ridge is downhill overall.
Clockwise Meall a’ Bhuachaille circuit
Heading clockwise from a start point of Badaguish Outdoor Centre, the route climbs almost immediately. At first, there is a wide forest track, before you join a path that heads up to the summit of Craiggowrie at 687m. The path is often muddy and boggy but it’s failry easy to find.
From Craiggowrie, the route extends along a ridge that undulates and gains height through a high point of Creag a’ Chaillich (711 m) and then Creagan Gorm at 732m before joining a much more obvious and well-trodden path up the western slope of Meall a’ Bhuachaille. It’s still a stiff ascent to reach the summit of Meall a’ Bhuachaille but the views are superb.
At 810m height, the mountain qualifies as a Corbett.
To complete the loop, retrace your steps for a short while and then take a southern path downhill.
This is the main Meall a’ Bhuachaille path from Glenmore and it is often busy with walkers. After about a kilometre, take a right hand turn on to a track that winds through Glenmore Forest and eventually back to Badaguish.
Route details:
Start/finish: Badaguish
Distance: 13km
Total elevation: 899m