Garbh Bheinn has a fine conical form and encloses the southern side of Loch Leven. The ascent is short but unremittingly steep, with outstanding views throughout.
Very boggy ground lower down; drier but very steep ascent higher up. Rocky ridge to the summit.
None.
Laybys on B863 east of Caolasnacon.
There is a rough layby just west of the bridge over the Allt Gleann a' Chaolais, east of Caolasnacan on the B863; if full, there is space for another car just east of the bridge. Begin the walk by taking the rough path heading off east of the bridge. The going on this first stretch is very boggy underfoot. Go straight across at another path, and look out for a tiny cairn that marks where a tiny path forks left to head towards the first rocky peak, Torran nan Crann. The views back are already superb.
The boggy path keeps to the left side at the first peak, and then crosses to traverse briefly on the right side of the ridge. Looking back, the Pap of Glencoe looks particularly fine. The ridge levels off briefly and the great upper cone of Garbh Bheinn is now in view ahead.
As the steep ascent up the nose is reached the path becomes thankfully much drier underfoot. The gradient is fairly sustained, and there are three rocky bluffs.
The first bluff is soon passed, and the latter ones are easily passed on the right side, where the ascent is over scree for a short time before the top of Stob Coire Sgoilte is reached.
The summit now comes into view. The ridge drops briefly before rising again, with a rocky pinnacle at first; this is most easily passed to the right side (or scrambled over).
The fairly spacious summit has three small cairns, and offers stunning views not just over Loch Leven, but also to the Blackwater reservoir and Loch Èilde Mòr . Higher mountains rise in all directions, with Ben Nevis rising proudly over the Mamores ridge.
Descend by the same route, back down the ridge, now with more breath available to be taken away by those views!
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