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Cruachan Dam and Falls of Cruachan Waterfall Walk

1.86 miles (3 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk visits the Falls of Cruachan waterfall before heading to the nearby Cruachan Reservoir dam in Argyll and Bute.
You can start the walk from the Falls of Cruachan railway station on the West Highland Line at the foot of Ben Cruachan. Trains depart from Glasgow Queen Street and Oban to the falls. You could also start from the Cruachan Dam visitor centre, just west of the train station. Here you can explore the Cruachan Power Station and learn all about its function and history.
From the train station you can pick up footpaths heading north along the Allt Cruachan watercourse to the power station and the imposing reservoir dam. The hydroelectric dam takes water between Cruachan Reservoir to nearby Loch Awe, a height difference of 396 metres (1,299 ft). For a fee you can explore the power station and see the huge machine hall and power-generating turbines located deep within Ben Cruachan mountain.

Postcode

PA33 1AN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Cruachan Dam and Falls of Cruachan Waterfall OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Cruachan Dam and Falls of Cruachan Waterfall Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Hollow Mountain Cafe is a great place to enjoy some post walk refreshments. There's a good range of meals and snacks which can you enjoy with a wonderful view over Loch Awe. The cafe is located in the Cruachan Visitor Centre and includes a lochside picnic area. Here you can look out for a variety of wildlife including pine martens, ospreys and golden eagles.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head east along Loch Awe and you could pick up the Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle Walk. This explores the historic ruins of the 15th century castle with wonderful views across the loch to the surrounding mountains.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Falls of Cruachan Railway Halt (14002361581)

Falls of Cruachan Railway Halt

Cruachan Power Station - geograph.org.uk - 2039664

Cruachan Power Station. The power station is open to visitors, and around 50,000 tourists visit it each year.

Allt Cruachan - geograph.org.uk - 2039637

Allt Cruachan

Ben Cruachan dam - panoramio

Ben Cruachan dam

The Falls of Cruachan (geograph 3907819)

The Falls of Cruachan

Cruachan Dam - geograph.org.uk - 2039674

Cruachan Dam

Cruachan Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 2039687

Cruachan Reservoir

Entrance to a tunnel which carries water from some of the burns on Beinn a' Bhuiridh to Cruachan Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3343652

Entrance to a tunnel which carries water from some of the burns on Beinn a' Bhuiridh to Cruachan Reservoir

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Cruachan Dam.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)