Garbh Bheinn is a rather neglected but still fine cone-shaped mountain on the southern side of Loch Leven. Its ascent is an unrelenting grind up the west ridge but the steepness of the slopes above the loch add great depth and drama to the views.
Summary
Some boggy ground on the lowest slopes but the ascent is mostly unrelentingly steep. The upper section is rocky.
Terrain
NN142608
Grid ref
7km/4.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. There are two laybys on the B863 near the bridge over the Allt Gleann a'Chaolais. Begin the walk along a landrover track which leaves the south side of the road about twenty five metres east of the bridge. Follow this for a short distance until a faint path leads off to the left up to the crags of Torran nan Crann. This path crosses peaty ground and is boggy in places but the first set of crags are soon reached. A short steep climb leads up to the ridge of Torran nan Crann; the views over Loch Leven are already magnificent.
Photo shows Garbh Bheinn from across Loch Leven
2. The route continues along the top of Torran nan Crann for about half a mile until a slight descent to a bealach. From here the slope down to the right offers an alternative approach from the track in the glen, which may be preferred on the descent. To continue the walk, the ridge leading up to Stob Coire Sgoilte looks steep and daunting with two sets of crags higher up. Like many ridges it looks far worse than it is when seen head on. Although the continuation of the ascent steep there is a path over gravelly ground and height can be gained quickly. At the second set of crags there is a further pull before the gradient eases. At this point there is still another hunred meters to climb before reaching Stob Coire Sgoilte.
3. Stob Coire Sgoilte means the point of the split corrie, and is well-named. The main corrie runs down the north face of the hill, but up on the ridge it is split in two by a large block of rock. Just before reaching this point you can either make a stiff scramble upwards or use a small gully (a little loose and greasy) to regain the ridge. From here a small drop to a col leads to the final 100 m climb to the summit of Garbh Bheinn.
4. The summit, a Corbett, is is a flat, scree covered place with multitudes of small cairns - some built for obscure reasons that only those who made them would know. There are spectacular views both over Loch Leven and looking east along the length of the Blackwater Reservoir and beyond, with Kinlochleven beneath your feet. Unless planning a traverse it is best to return down the ridge over Stob Coire Sgoilte (seen in the photo) to return the way you came, perhaps dropping off the ridge to the glen near the bottom as mentioned earlier.
This walk was researched and photographed by A Milne.
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
