Beinn Chabhair, from Inverarnan

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Summary

Whilst it may rank amongst the smaller Munros, Beinn Chabhair is a suprisingly rugged peak with great character. The summit ridge is a lumpy collection of knolls and rocky humps which make a fine walk. The start via Beinglas Falls is very steep and eroded, and there is fair amount of boggy ground on the middle, moorland section.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Hill path; stony and eroded lower down, boggy across moors. Good path up the ridge itself.

Public Transport

Citylink buses pass Inverarnan (Drovers Inn).

Start

Inverarnan. Open in Google Maps.

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.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km / 8 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 948m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN318184

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn Chabhair

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (80)

Stage 1

There is no public parking for this walk; we describe it from the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan which has a large car park assuming you buy food or drinks after the walk; alternatively you can park at Beinglas Campsite if you use the cafe or shop. Follow the pavement north along the A82 to the turning for Beinglas Farm Campsite, and follow the drive to the campsite which has a shop and a cafe - it may be possible to park here by arrangement. Pass to the right of the cafe, noting the West Highland Way signs and the wooden wigwams. At the back of the site go right and the immediately left onto an unmarked stony and eroded path that climbs steeply uphill into a jungle of vegetation. Higher up it crosses a stile over a fence and continues climbing.

Stage 2

The Beinglas falls are seen over to the right. Higher up the path crosses another deer fence via a stile and continues, following the the Ben Glas Burn upstream. Eventually this very steep and eroded initial climb relents as more open moorland is reached. Continue following the path by the burn. When it meets an old track coming up from the left, continue ahead, ignoring the track when it swings right to the burn; keep the burn on your right.

Stage 3

Eventually the path reaches a hydro track; go straight across this. The rugged outliers of Beinn Chabhair rise up to the left, as the route continues uphill, eventually coming closer to the Ben Glas burn once more. I

Stage 4

Immediately before Lochan Beinn Chabhair the driest route forks left very slightly and then heads to the foot of a wide grassy gully where the path becomes clearer once more. If you miss this, you'll reach the Lochan and can then turn left to the bottom of the gully - across somewhat wetter ground. A clear path then climbs the steeper grassy slope.

Stage 5

Higher up the path bears right and then meanders along the complex ridge, sometimes avoiding and sometimes climbing over rocky knolls and past a couple of tiny lochans. There are good views north west to An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chròin which are sometimes combined with Beinn Chabhair to make a long and strenuous day.

Stage 6

After several false summits, the true top is reached at a tiny cairn at 933m. From here there's a superb view over much of the Southern Highlands.

Stage 7

The easiest route of descent is to return on the same outward path, retracing your steps along the ridge until the bealach after Meall nan Tarmachan and then returning to Beinglas by the same route. As an alternative, you can continue at this point on the ill-defined ridge passing Lochan a Caisteil and descending due West from here until you reach a track where you turn left for a short while to regain the outward route. This is more strenuous and navigation could be difficult; there's no path.

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