The Cobbler, Arrochar

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The Cobbler - also known as Ben Arthur - has the most distinctive outline of any mountain in the Southern Highlands and makes a fantastic shorter hillwalk. Extremely popular, the path on the way up has been improved in recent years and once past the initial zig zags makes a pleasant ascent. This route explores both main peaks of the Cobbler before descending on a rugged path between the two. Alternatively the route can be made easier by returning the same way.

Terrain

Clear paths with some steep rocky sections, particularly on the descent.

Public Transport

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

Start

Succoth car park, Arrochar. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the large car park off the A83 at Succoth just to the west of Arrochar. The walk is vaguely waymarked in red; it begins on the opposite side of the road to the car park, passing a carving of a fox. The wide main path ascends the hillside through the trees in a series of easy angled and wide zig-zags. The effort is worthwhile in the improving views over Loch Long. Continue up the path, avoiding the temptation to short-cut which causes erosion. When the path reaches a bench turn left on the forestry track and very soon turn right up the next section of path. There are superb views from here over and down the loch and across to the peaked summit of Ben Lomond.

Stage 2

Continue climbing up the path which goes through a short section of forestry before emerging next to a stream. Keep straight on where a path leads off to the right and head upstream on open ground and a clear path, passing a small hydro dam. The three peaks of the Cobbler can now be seen clearly ahead. This route was has been used by climbers to access the Cobbler ever since the area became popular in the 1890s. Later in the 1930's a more radical group of climbers, often workers and unemployed people from the shipyards and factories of Glasgow, came by bike, foot, bus and train to climb the peaks and hone their climbing skills on the many rock-faces.

Stage 3

The path continues to climb more gently, crossing a number of side streams on large stepping stones. Eventually the massive rocks known as the Narnain boulders are reached. These were used as sleeping shelters or howffs by groups of climbers who would spend all their spare time climbing and did not have the resources for other accommodation. Now they make a pleasant stopping point and shady shelter on a hot day or from the rain. The well-made path continues to climb steadily. When a fork is reached, keep right and continue up the valley. The lower route to the left is the return route on this description.

Stage 4

Continuing to follow the Allt a' Bhalachain, the sides of the valley start to close in a little and the well-named Yawning Crag of Beinn Narnain can be seen on the right hand side. A small lochan is reached just before the junction of the paths at the top of this section of the walk. The path to the right leads to Beinn Ìme and Beinn Narnain. Our route up the Cobbler turns left and ascends many stone steps. The path is less well made towards the top but is still straightforward to follow. The ridge is reached between the North and Central peaks. Turn right to visit the higher, central peak first.

Stage 5

The path climbs up to reach a small summit plateau. From here there are panoramic views all around - and the chance to climb out onto the rock pinnacle that marks the true summit of the mountain - or watch others doing so. The ascent of this pinnacle calls for scrambling ability and a head for heights, making the highest point of the Cobbler the most technically difficult to reach summit amongst all the Corbetts. To include it (making this route Grade 5), walk out towards the pinnacle on a path. The path heads through a hole right through the pinnacle and emerges on a ledge on the far side. Go left along this ledge - which is broad but slopes outwards over a big drop - to reach the far end of the pinnacle. Then turn back left and complete the climb up the far side - all the time remembering that you must be able to climb back down what you've gone up, as there is no alternative!

Stage 6

The lower South Peak (out of view from here) is even harder and can only be reached by rock-climbers, so from the central summit descend back the way you came and then follow the path up the other side to explore the North Peak. The easiest route to the summit is to keep left when the path forks and go around the northern side but both routes are straightforward.

Stage 7

Once reached, the north peak summit is a dramatic spot with a small cairn almost above a large overhang, and a great view back to the central peak where the hole through it shows up to good effect. Return again almost to the col between the summits. The easiest descend is to retrace your steps, but it is quicker though rougher to descend on the path leading southeast, marked with a large pile of stones at the top and with easy stone steps at first.

Stage 8

The path has great views back up to the Cobbler's cliffs and across to the south peak, as well as looking directly up towards the overhang of the north peak. After a while the path becomes looser and very rocky, with a simple scramble down a gully. Eventually a good path is reached at the bottom which soon crosses the stream to join the main path. Turn right to rejoin the outward route and follow it all the way back to the start.

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