Beinn Fhionnlaidh is a straightforward Munro forming a long west-east ridge from Glen Creran. It is a good viewpoint with views out to sea to the west and inland giving an unfamiliar aspect of Glencoe and Glen Etive.
Bog Factor
Straightforward mountain walk following a long ridge with pathless and boggy sections.
Car park at end of public road, Glen Creran.
No public transport to the start.
NN036488
Start at the parking area at the public road end in Glen Creran. Follow the path through the gate posts following the signs for Glen Etive and Glenure Lodge. Continue on the minor road passing a house and crossing a bridge over the River Creran. When you cross the cattle grid in front of Glenure Lodge, fork left (yellow arrow) past the white cottage and head for the gate in the left hand metal fence. Go straight ahead (yellow arrow) ignoring the right hand (red arrow) track to Glen Etive. Follow the rough track until a pine wood is reached.
Just a short way alongside the trees, a smaller track branches right uphill. Take this track and climb up beyond the trees. When the path bends right, a signpost indicates a beaten path to start climbing the main ridge of Beinn Fhionnlaidh.
Keep following the definite but boggy path as the route continues uphill, over rough ground with some steep sections. The summit is not visible at this stage although the views down the glen and out to sea improve all the time. It is also a good chance to look at the steep flanks of Beinn Sgulaird directly south across Glen Ure. Eventually the steepness of the ridge gives way to a short level section with a couple of lochans. The path goes to the south side of both lochans and then continues east uphill.
The ground steepens until the final approach to the summit is reached through a slightly confusing area of smaller tops although the faint path continues all the way. The summit (959m) is not seen until it is nearly reached and it is a small pointy feature with a large cairn and trig point on the far side.
From the summit there are good all round views including Loch Etive to the south, steep Sgùrr na h'Ulaidh to the north with a view into Glencoe. It is possible to climb Beinn Fhionnlaidh from Glen Etive but the route is steep and involves a lot of forestry on the lower slopes. The return route to Glen Creran is by the same outward ridge, however there are excellent views down the glen and out to sea as you descend.
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