Corbett · Arrochar & Trossachs
Beinn Chuirn
Beinn Chuirn sits north of Cononish Glen above Tyndrum, immediately west of the better-known Ben Lui. It is the hill that overlooks Scotland's only working gold mine, the controversial Cononish project, and its lower flanks bear the scars of historical lead and gold workings. The 880m summit is a quiet grassy dome with one of the most direct face-on views of Ben Lui's north-east corrie and the Coire Gaothach amphitheatre — arguably finer than the view from Ben Lui itself.
Quick facts
- Height
- 880m/ 2887ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 774 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN280292
- Parking
- NN343291
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
access road 20% · grassy slope 45% · stony upper ground 25% · summit area 10%
Walk in from the Dalrigh car park on the A82 near Tyndrum, following the Cononish farm track past the gold mine entrance. After roughly 4km leave the track and climb open grassy slopes north-east directly up the west flank of the hill. A short steeper pull leads to the broad summit dome. Around 16km return with 774m of ascent. Most baggers combine the day with Ben Lui by crossing the south-eastern bealach, though the climb back out of that dip adds substantial extra effort.
Terrain
The Cononish track is solid underfoot all the way to the farm and gold mine entrance. Above the track the hillside is open grass with patches of bog around small burns — pathless but easy walking. The mine workings should be skirted; signs warn against straying onto active ground. The summit dome itself is short cropped grass and stone with no exposure.
In winter
A gentler hill than Ben Lui next door but the upper grass slopes can ice up quickly when temperatures hover around freezing. The northern flank above Glen Cononish holds snow longer and avalanches occasionally onto the corrie floor. The gold mine track is gritted for working vehicles in winter so the walk-in is usually straightforward; the steep descent off the west flank is the section to take care on.
This hill is in the Lochaber SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 41m
- Edinburgh2h 23m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Intermittent signal near Tyndrum; brief 1-2 bars on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:40
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 03:41
- Civil dusk
- 22:53
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Chuirn.
Around Beinn Chuirn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Chuirn — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Chuirn?
- Beinn Chuirn is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 774m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Cononish track is solid underfoot all the way to the farm and gold mine entrance.
- Where do I park for Beinn Chuirn?
- Standard parking is at NN343291 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 Chuirn?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Chuirn are 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 Chuirn?
- 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 Chuirn?
- Intermittent signal near Tyndrum; brief 1-2 bars on the summit
- Is Beinn Chuirn safe in winter?
- A gentler hill than Ben Lui next door but the upper grass slopes can ice up quickly when temperatures hover around freezing. The northern flank above Glen Cononish holds snow longer and avalanches occasionally onto the corrie floor. The gold mine track is gritted for working vehicles in winter so the walk-in is usually straightforward; the steep descent off the west flank is the section to take care on.