Beinn Tarsuinn via The 3 Beinns circuit, Glen Rosa

Summary

This rugged mountain horseshoe circuit above beautiful Glen Rosa takes in three of Arran's great sandstone peaks including the Corbett Beinn Tarsuinn. There are spectacular mountain and sea views for much of the route.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Rough bouldery paths, very boggy in Coire a' Bhradain until the high ground is reached. Starts and ends on a good track through Glen Rosa.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Near end of public road and Glen Rosa campsite - limited (and popular) parking.

Public Transport

Bus to start of minor road up Glen Rosa.

Start Grid Ref

NS000376

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 949m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Tarsuinn

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Walk Description

User reports (13)

Stage 1

At the end of the surfaced public road up Glen Rosa is a small parking area. This also serves the campsite here and walks up popular Glen Rosa so it is often full, either get here early, use the bus and walk up the Glen Rosa road or park at the Cladach Centre and join the route by following the Glen Rosa walk. Start by walking ahead along the track which soon descends out of the trees to provide good views of some of Arran's most popular peaks ahead - massive Goatfell on the right joined to angular Cìr Mhòr via The Saddle at the head of the glen. Go through the gate and continue up the glen.

Stage 2

After just over 2km cross the footbridge over Garbh Allt and continue just round the corner and then turn left to climb steeply on a path running parallel to the burn. Pass through a kissing gate and after the gradient eases a little through another one to reach the open moorland. The tussocky path now continues near the Garbh Allt and can be extremely boggy and quite eroded in places. There are good views right into Coire a' Bhradain with the full horseshoe ridge above.

Stage 3

About 1km after the previous kissing gate go through another (this one to protect tree growth around the small gorge) and keep immediately right to follow a small path next to the fence. After a short distance the path descends steeply and crosses the burn before a rocky scramble up the path on the far side. Aim for the kissing gate and then climb gently NW over boggy ground with only a faint path in places. As the ground steepens the path divides into several options as the climb becomes more challenging over slabs and between boulders. After the 600m height is reached keep to the right edge of the ridge where pathwork provides an easier route and there are great views of Beinn Nuis ahead. Before the final steep summit approach, the path traverses to the right of the ridgeline briefly.

Stage 4

A final steep pull brings you to the small summit cairn of Beinn Nuis. From here the ridge walk to Beinn Tarsuinn provides some of the most enjoyable walking of the day. Descend into the gap beyond the summit and follow the rocky ridge on the obvious path, occasionally bearing left on sections of path between rocks to avoid the scramble on the true ridge. Just before the final ascent to the summit of Beinn Tarsuinn look out for the Old Man of Tarsuinn on the right, an outcrop naturally sculpted into a human profile and appearing to look out to sea over Brodick.

Stage 5

Continue to the twin summits of Beinn Tarsuinn, the second (more northerly) being the highest; there are panoramic views in all directions. The steep descent towards Bealach an Fhir-bhogha is far from easy, with a certain amount of scrambling and negotiation of substantial boulders. A worn path is visible in places between rock slabs but there are some large steps between easier sections with a few bits of constructed path. Do not descend all the way to the bealach (marked by a small cairn and dominated by the slabby face of A' Chir - from here the lower path shown on maps towards Beinn a' Chliahain is extremely airy), instead bear right immediately after a distinct rocky tower on the ridge to your right (Consolation Tor). There is a clear path which descends from here to arrive on the ridge above Coire Daingean with Beinn a' Chliabhain ahead.

Stage 6

Follow the path along the mixed rocky and grassy ridge, it keeps to the right side of the ridge at times to avoid scrambling on the true ridge and crosses a number of easy slabs. The path forks before the last grassy climb towards the summit. Keep left here to stay on the now grassy ridge, as the main, clearer path traverses well below, missing the summit. The last few metres involves an easy scamble over huge rounded boulders to reach the top of Beinn a' Chliabhain.

Stage 7

From the summit continue down the ridge path with good views to Glen Rosa and Brodick ahead. Pass through a gate in a deer fence and continue descending into Coire a'Bhradain with very boggy ground in places. Pass the cairn on Cnoc Breac as the gradient begins to ease and the route gets even boggier before reaching the kissing gate above the Garbh Allt on the outward route. Follow the rocky path downhill alongside the tumbling waterfalls to emerge on the familiar track in Glen Rosa. Turn right to follow the glen track for 2km to return to the start.

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