Beinn Bheula, near Lochgoilhead

Beinn Bheula has a fine position above the sea lochs that almost surround the Cowal peninsula. Don't let its position as one of the more southerly of the Corbetts in the Highlands deceive; this is a very rugged hill of great character.

Terrain

Very rugged hill with some steep, pathless ground. Very boggy in places.

Public Transport

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Start

Parking at start of forest near Lettermay. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km/7 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 792m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS187998

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Bheula

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 363 - Cowal East
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

When driving into Lochgoilhead, take the turning for the Drymsynie House hotel (1st right). After 1km further, take a right up an unmarked road to Lettermay; follow this past some houses and round some bends; there is space to park in laybys where the forest edge is reached. Beinn Bheula is out of sight at this point. Follow the track - also the route of the Cowal Way - through the trees for 2 km, staying on the main route as it bends left, and then keeping right at a fork to head down towards a bridge across the Lettermay Burn. Just after the bridge take the Cowal Way to the left.

Stage 2

Climb up the slope to the left of the cascades on the Sruth Burn, and continue above the falls with views towards the craggy East face of Beinn Bheula. Leave the Cowal Way to head SSW and then SW in direction, over or round the grassy knoll of Beinn Bhreac, avoiding crags with the aptly named Caisteal Dubh ('Black Castle') looming before you.

Stage 3

Gain the ridge north of Caisteal Dubh by a winding route up rough ground. The final push up and on to Caisteal Dubh brings you to the summit trigpoint and cairn. From here, the views across to the Arrochar Alps and down the Firth of Clyde are extensive.

Stage 4

Continue traversing the hill over Creag Sgoilte. The direct descent from this hill is barred by crags, which can be avoided on the west side. Once below the crags, there are several pieces of an aircraft scattered across the hillside. These are the remains of a Grumman Martlet which crashed just below the crags of Creag Sgoilte in 1940. They are remarkably intact.

Stage 5

Head towards the large lochan and its outflow. From here, it is possible to follow a very narrow path down beside the stream. Care is needed in descending as the path has eroded in places; take care especially when the stream is in spate. About halfway down, cross over the burn and head along a path through the firebreak on the right. This path is indistinct at times and very boggy in places. Eventually the path emerges from the trees and a forestry track is reached. This rejoins the track followed by the Cowal Way and used earlier in the walk; follow it to return to the start.

Route: Kevin Pollock

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.