Rannoch is a large region in the Grampians actually made up of three distinct areas, each very different in character. Rannoch itself is the area around Loch Rannoch and includes the famous mountain of Schehallion. Access is gained along the Tummel River from the A9 and the road along the valley ends at the railway station at, naturally enough, Rannoch Station. Rannoch Forest is the mountain and moorland area to the west and includes the mountain range of Sgor Gaibhre. The adjacent ridge of Carn Dearg, 3 km further west, really spills into the neighbouring region of Corrour although my preference is to lump the two areas together. To the west again lies Rannoch Moor - an expansive, high, flat and very wet plateau that is probably what many visitors know simply as 'Rannoch'.
The main road, the A82, skirts the moor to the south west taking the slightly high ground, passing the Kings House Hotel and passing under Stob Dearg on Buachaille Etive Mor to gain the entrance to Glen Coe. The railway keeps to the north west, taking on the Moor directly to take a line to reach Glen Spean at the outfall of Loch Treig. In between is virtually nothing but open moorland with very few paths crossing the region.
The building of this railway was a major feat in engineering terms - a story well documented elsewhere. With a regular service still operating and stations at Rannoch Moor and Corrour, access can be gained to the heart of the region very easily. This makes it possible to undertake a number of walks and treks in the region without the usual need to get back to ones starting point. This a popular area for such expeditions with options to traverse north - south, or east - west, or combinations of both. The West Highland Way avoids the region, keeping to the west of the A82 before linking from Glen Coe to Kinlochleven. As this path carries heavy traffic (I use the phrase specifically) you will find the interior much, much quieter - and also easier on the feet as many of the paths are not hardcore.
We have made a couple of treks across the region and would like to return to do more - taking in different mountains and routes. The most logical starting / ending points for a walk include Rannoch Station (and all Stations from the south), Kings House at the head of Glen Coe, Kinlochleven (thence West Highland Way to Fort William), Glen Nevis (also to Fort William), Spean Bridge or Tulloch in Glen Spean, and Dalwhinnie on the A9. All these locations offer Bus and / or Rail connections allowing walkers to loop back to pick up a car - or to facilitate a walking holiday without use of the motor car.