Whilst Beinn Lora may only be 308 metres high, its fine position ensures that the magnificent views from its summit match those from many a Munro. The approach uses waymarked forestry walks (most of the conifers have now been felled) but the section before the final pull up to the top is very wet.
Good, steep path through the forest but there is an extremely boggy section beyond.
Bus from Oban.
Beinn Lora car park, Benderloch.
From the Beinn Lora car park in Benderloch village follow the blue and red waymarked path. Almost immediately the path forks; take the right hand branch which climbs uphill steeply; the former dense conifer plantations have been felled but some fine deciduous trees remain.
There are good views down to the beach. Keep right (following the waymarkers) when a path goes off left. Soon the path passes a bench; beyond this, stay on the main path when it swings left, ignoring a loop off to the right. Ignore another path off left, still following the waymarkers. The path then soon leads on to a bench with fine views down over Benderloch beach.
Just beyond is a path junction; the red route continues ahead (and is used on the return), but to make the ascent of Beinn Lora you should turn sharply right, following the blue route. This climbs through the trees - steeply at times, and first runs on one side of a burn and then the other, passing a small waterfall. Further up a signed junction is reached; the left branch visits the Eagle's Eyrie viewpoint. It's probably best to save that for the return walk and to keep right instead. The path runs along the edge of a replanted area of forest and crosses a track before running round the edge of a boggy area marked as Lochan nan Ron on the OS maps.
It curves to the right at the far end and rises a little to leave the forest at a bench and a kissing gate. There is a fine view down the coast to the south from here, with Dunbeg clearly visible as well as the airport and Connel bridge. Beinn Lora is now seen ahead across a dip, its summit trig point prominent on clear days. The path - which has now become much rougher - descends to cross the very boggy bealach. Even with waterproof footwear you are quite likely to end up with wet feet on this section!
After crossing the dip the path climbs to another flat area where a couple of wooden beams help with the bog. Beyond this the foot of the final steep grassy slopes of Beinn Lora are reached. Rather than making a direct climb the path swings to the left before finally heading back right towards the summit. The views really begin to open up and are fantastic on a clear day; the islands of Seil, Kerrera, Mull and Lismore are all well seen together with distant Morvern.
The cylindrical summit trig point is eventually reached, revealing the wonderful views down the other side of the hill, looking along Loch Etive to the Ben Cruachan range. Return across the bealach and back into the forest.
It is worth making the small detour to visit the Eagle's Eyrie viewpoint - keep ahead on the track where the ascent route came up from the left, then immediately turn right (blue waymarer). As the name suggests this is close to the edge of a very steep slope giving a fine aerial view over Benderloch. Return from the viewpoint back to the original descent path and down to the junction with the red waymarked route. This time turn right to follow the path which loops to the north before swinging round and heading back to the car park behind the houses of Benderloch.
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