Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ìme

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Summary

The compact group of mountains known as the Arrochar Alps are renowned for their steep, rugged and rocky nature. The direct ascent of Beinn Narnain as described here is very rough and rocky, with some slight scrambling - a tougher start than many ascents in the Southern Highlands. Beinn Ìme - the highest of the range - is much smoother from this direction - a long steady grind from the bealach.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Rocky, steep and eroded path on Beinn Narnain with very mild scrambling. Beinn Ìme is a broad dome on this side and the return route has a good path.

Public Transport

Citylink buses to Arrochar, local buses to Arrochar and Succoth.

Start

Succoth car park, Arrochar. 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: 13.5km / 8.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 1325m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN294048

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn Narnain
Munro: Beinn Ìme

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Walk Description

User reports (161)

Stage 1

Start from the Forestry Commission car park (charge) at Succoth on the north side of Loch Long near Arrochar. From here cross the main road and follow the marked path opposite through the woods - the main route to the Cobbler. Only a few paces along it however - well before the first bend - our route leaves this obvious walkway for a muddy side path through the undergrowth - it's unmarked and easily missed. The path soon becomes clearer and starts to climb steeply; it is often very wet after rain. The climb is accompanied by a series of overgrown concrete squares - the remains of the hydro project here. When a track is reached, go straight across it and continue on the rugged path over a rocky step - as much waterfall as path if wet! Soon the path improves and there are good views back down to the loch and Ben Lomond beyond.

Stage 2

Higher up, a path heads off left which traverses the hill - linking with the Cobbler path near a weir; it's quite wet. Instead keep straight ahead uphill, There are a couple of easy rocky scrambles and a boggy area where the path is faint on this next section. After the next steep section of ascent, the Cobbler can be seen to the left. There is a brief flatter section before the continuing ascent to Cruach nam Miseag.

Stage 3

From here the route descends briefly before tackling the rocky slopes beyond on the left side at first, eventually climbing to reach the foot of the prominent rock buttress of the Spearhead. Pass to the right of the main buttress and ascend a the rock-filled gully beyond - no difficulties but take care.

Stage 4

The final section to the summit is across easier ground, with a clear path to the stone-built trig point. There are good views to the Cobbler, Beinn Ìme and the wider hills beyond; perhaps the best view is looking down Loch Long to the Firth of Clyde.

Stage 5

From the summit continue west north west across the stony plateau, descending some boulders at one point before a clearer path is joined that leads down to the Bealach a' Mhaim. The original route headed directly down towards Beinn Ìme, but it's quite eroded and it's probably better to stick to the well-made path that reaches the bealach between Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler. Turn right here.

Stage 6

Although a steep and rocky mountain from most viewpoints, this side of Beinn Ìme is largely a broad and grassy slope, though there is a well-made path. The ascent is a long grind, with almost four hundred metres to gain from the bealach. It ends at the trig point at 1011m - the highest summit in the Arrochar Alps; the view is a fine reward.

Stage 7

Return back the same way to the bealach, then continue ahead for the descent part, ignoring the Cobbler which is up the steep path on the right. Continuing the descent, the path has been vastly improved in recent years and is dry and easy going underfoot. Follow the route downhill, ignoring the junction to the right part way down where another path descends from the Cobbler. There are great views of its strange rock architecture from here. Two giant blocks of rock known as the Narnain boulders are passed; some of the early working class Glasgow climbers used to sleep here during the exploration of the Cobbler's cliffs.

Stage 8

The path now runs alongside the Allt a' Bhalachain, crossing side streams on large stepping stones at times. Shortly after passing the small hydro dam on the right, there is a junction with a faint path that traverses the slope to the left. Continue straight on, on the main path which starts to descend through the trees. When the path reaches a track near a mast transmitter, turn left and then right at a bench to follow a zig zag path down through an area of felled trees heading towards the Loch. Eventually the path emerges back on the main road opposite the car park.

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