Corbett · Arrochar & Trossachs
Beinn Luibhean
Beinn Luibhean is the small, sharply-pointed Corbett tucked behind Beinn Ime in the Arrochar Alps, almost directly above the famous Rest-and-be-Thankful viewpoint on the A83. Its 859m summit gets little traffic compared to the busy Cobbler or Ben Vorlich a short distance away, partly because the steep grass south face is brutally direct. Those who do make the trip are rewarded with one of the cleanest views in the southern Highlands: straight along Loch Long to the Clyde and across the entire spread of Cowal.
Quick facts
- Height
- 859.7m/ 2821ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 756 m
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN242079
- Parking
- NN229074
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
roadside grass 15% · steep grass 50% · rocky upper section 25% · summit area 10%
Park at the Rest-and-be-Thankful and walk a short distance west along the A83 to where the open hillside drops to the road. Cross the burn and climb the relentless south-east face direct — there is no path, just steep grass with rocky steps for around 700m of unbroken ascent in 2km. The summit ridge is short and rocky, with one slightly airy section before the top. Around 15km total with 756m of ascent if combined with neighbouring Beinn Ime; 6km return for Luibhean alone.
Terrain
The south face is unrelentingly steep grass and bracken with no path — knees and ankles take a beating on descent. Above 700m the slope eases and the ridge becomes rocky with intermittent outcrops. The connecting ridge to Beinn Ime drops to a wet bealach then climbs again on grass and rock; the col is exposed to westerly wind. Mica schist underfoot is glassy when wet.
In winter
The Arrochar Alps catch huge amounts of west coast precipitation and Beinn Luibhean is no exception — its grass slopes ice up to a glaze far quicker than the more sheltered hills inland. The steep south face becomes a serious avalanche slope after fresh westerly snow loading and the descent line should be reconsidered if conditions look poor. Crampons more useful here than the height suggests.
This hill is in the Lochaber SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 18m
- Edinburgh2h 16m
OS maps: OS Landranger 56
Mobile signal: Poor signal near the Rest-and-be-Thankful; no coverage on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:41
- Sunset
- 21:53
- Civil dawn
- 03:43
- Civil dusk
- 22:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Luibhean.
Around Beinn Luibhean on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Luibhean — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Luibhean?
- Beinn Luibhean is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 756m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-7 hours. Terrain: The south face is unrelentingly steep grass and bracken with no path — knees and ankles take a beating on descent.
- Where do I park for Beinn Luibhean?
- Standard parking is at NN229074 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 Luibhean?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Luibhean 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 Luibhean?
- 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 Luibhean?
- Poor signal near the Rest-and-be-Thankful; no coverage on the summit
- Is Beinn Luibhean safe in winter?
- The Arrochar Alps catch huge amounts of west coast precipitation and Beinn Luibhean is no exception — its grass slopes ice up to a glaze far quicker than the more sheltered hills inland. The steep south face becomes a serious avalanche slope after fresh westerly snow loading and the descent line should be reconsidered if conditions look poor. Crampons more useful here than the height suggests.