Introduction
The Glen Lyon summits area characteristically rounded heathery summits with flat stony and mossy tops. The summits at its western end yield extensive views out to the north and west while all summits provide ideal opportunities to practice navigation skills. The Glen itself has more of a character of the Lake District with pastures and mixed woodland and a country road that wouldn't be out of place in the Lakes.

Loch Lyon and the Bridge of Orchy Hills

Glen Lyon and Stud' an Lochain

Loch an Diamph & Loch Lyon
The areas around Loch an Diamph and Loch Lyon are more dramatic. Two munros guard the north and south slopes of Loch an Diamph - Stud' an Lochain and Meall Buidhe. Even the road end feels remote - especially mid week and you are likely to be the only one on the hills. At the end of these two lochs, lies wild and rough country with burns that would be impossible to cross in spate.

Looking across Glen Lyon to Beinn nan Oighreag

The dam of Loch an Diamph

Stud an Lochain
This mountain has a fairly narrow north ridge and borders quite an impressive northern corrie in which nestles Lochan nan Cat. Although about an hour away from the road, it feels quite remote as the corrie descends into Loch am Diamph about half way along its southern shore, which itself is guarded by steep slopes. The usual route up to Stud' an Lochain is to head up a steep path to point 887m from Loch an Diamph. This is a well worn route, and from point 887m the path continues on a broad ridge round the northern corrie to the final steep ascent of the main summit.

The northern spurs of Meall Ghaordaidh

Looking west from the summit of Meall Buidhe

Cam Creag - the Corbett east of Meall Buidhe

The summit ridge of Meall Buidhe, Glen Lyon

Meall Buidie
North of the dam at loch an Diamph lies the sprawling boggy mountain of Meall Bhuidie, this southern approach hasn't much to commend it, it's boggy, not very steep and unspectacular. A worn boggy path is followed all the way from the roadside. The only thing going for it is the impressive view of Stuch'd an Lochain on the other side of the loch.... that and the superb vista that suddenly emerges as you reach the summit ridge. Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, Ben Alder and Rannoch moor look superb from here.

Looking out from Meall Buidhe to the Black Mount and Glen Coe peaks

Looking south along the summit ridge of Meall Bhuidhe

Meall Bhuidhe seen from the north

North Glen Lyon summits
Meall Bhuidie is just one of many summits that lie as part of a long ridge stretching from Bridge of Orchy to the west to terminate south of Shiehallion. Four other munros lie north of Invervar on this ridge.

Looking east from the slopes of Carn Gorm

Looking west from peak "981" into Glen Lyon

"Keep off the hills", for most of the year

Invervar has once been a notorious access trouble spot with reports of cars being locked into the car park and abusive behaviour towards walkers. Now that freedom to roam legislation has come into effect, the situation here is evidently less confrontational. The weeds growing around the car park gate show that it hasn't been closed for a long time. Despite this, the sign in the car park effectively implies that you can only walk on the hills for less than half of the year.

Carn Gorm seen from the south

The Carn Mairg Horshoe seen from the south

Peak "981" seen from Glen Lyon

Carn Mairg, 1042m, is the highest of the four Invervar munros. These summits are generally grassy summits, with rounded ridges and long grassy slopes to the corries and glens below. The rockiest summits are Carn Mairg and Meall Garbh. The munros can be done as part of a ring going round Invervar Burn. The whole walk can be done inside 7 hours and the drops between each summit are small. From Meall Garbh to Carn Mairg, a line of old fence posts guide the way on windswept barren days across this ridge.