Corbett · Glen Orchy
Beinn Bhreac-liath
Beinn Bhreac-liath — 'the speckled grey hill' — is the rounded Corbett rising directly above the West Highland Railway and the A82 north of Tyndrum, sitting in the bowl of hills between Beinn Odhar (the well-known Tyndrum cone) and Beinn a' Chuirn. At 802m it gives one of the easier short Corbett ascents in central Scotland, with a clear path most of the way and a broad summit looking across to Ben Lui and the Crianlarich Munros.
Gaelic: “mountain, grey” · Pronunciation: bine bhreac lee-ah
Quick facts
- Height
- 802m/ 2631ft
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 620 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN302339
- Parking
- NN329308
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen track 25% · heather hillside 45% · grassy upper ridge 20% · summit area 10%
Use the same Tyndrum upper-village layby on the A82 that serves Beinn Odhar (NN329308). From the village, walk north over the railway level crossing and pick up a stalkers' track that heads east toward the hill. The track lifts onto open ground and onto Beinn Bhreac-liath's broad south flank; a steady climb leads to the summit cairn. Many parties combine it with Beinn Odhar for a tidy Tyndrum two-summit round. About 4.5–5 hours for Beinn Bhreac-liath on its own.
Terrain
A reasonable estate track covers the lower kilometre. Beyond it, a mix of grass, heather and the occasional small rock step underfoot. The top is broad and stony with a substantial cairn. Wet on the lower flanks; firmer above 600m.
In winter
A friendly winter Corbett — the broad slopes give no avalanche concerns and the route is hard to lose. Snow lies well from January through March. Tyndrum stays reliably accessible by car and the West Highland Line runs through the day. Cold easterly winds can be ferocious on the summit; pair with Beinn Odhar for the natural double winter round.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 46m
- Edinburgh2h 24m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Poor signal in upper Glen Orchy area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 03:40
- Civil dusk
- 22:53
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Beinn Bhreac-liath on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Bhreac-liath — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Bhreac-liath?
- Beinn Bhreac-liath is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 11km with 620m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: A reasonable estate track covers the lower kilometre.
- Where do I park for Beinn Bhreac-liath?
- Standard parking is at NN329308 near Oban. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Bhreac-liath?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Bhreac-liath are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Beinn Bhreac-liath?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Beinn Bhreac-liath?
- Poor signal in upper Glen Orchy area
- Is Beinn Bhreac-liath safe in winter?
- A friendly winter Corbett — the broad slopes give no avalanche concerns and the route is hard to lose. Snow lies well from January through March. Tyndrum stays reliably accessible by car and the West Highland Line runs through the day. Cold easterly winds can be ferocious on the summit; pair with Beinn Odhar for the natural double winter round.