Corbett · Glen Orchy
Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh
Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh is the broad, grassy Corbett between Glen Orchy and Glen Strae, west of Tyndrum in Argyll. The hill itself is undistinguished — a long whaleback with no real summit drama — but the view is the reward: an open sweep over Ben Lui, Ben Starav, Beinn Dorain and Ben Cruachan, with Loch Awe stretching south towards Mull on a clear day. The pathless upper half keeps it quiet even when the Tyndrum Munros are busy.
Gaelic: “mountain, son of, moor” · Pronunciation: bine mhic mhonaidh
Quick facts
- Height
- 794.8m/ 2608ft
- Prominence
- 419 m
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 650 m
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN208350
- Parking
- NN242320
- Nearest
- Dalmally· Oban 35km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
forest road 30% · open hillside 45% · bog 20% · broad ridge 5%
The standard approach starts from the Eas Urchaidh (Falls of Orchy) car park in Glen Orchy (NN242320). Cross the river and follow the forest road north-west through the Allt Broighleachan pinewood — one of the most southerly fragments of Caledonian pine in Scotland — to a stile at the forest edge. From there it is pathless: climb rough, often boggy grass and heather onto the broad south-east ridge and follow it to the summit cairn. Around 15km return with roughly 650m of ascent; allow 5–6 hours.
Terrain
A good forest road for the first few kilometres, then trackless hillside the rest of the way. The open ground is rough grass and heather with peat hags and wet runnels that stay boggy long after dry spells — gaiters earn their place. The summit ridge is broad and featureless: easy in clear weather, a compass exercise in cloud.
In winter
Modest height but a genuinely remote feel in winter. Snow lies on the upper ridge from December into March, and the broad, featureless top demands confident navigation when the cloud is down. The pathless approach is slow under snow and the burns on the lower slopes can be awkward in spate.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 55m
- Edinburgh3h 40m
OS maps: OS Explorer 377, OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Patchy near the Glen Orchy car park; little or no signal on the pathless upper hill.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:30
- Sunset
- 21:21
- Civil dawn
- 04:43
- Civil dusk
- 22:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 6 August 2026
Around Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh?
- We grade Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 15km with 650m of climbing; allow 5-7 hours. Ground conditions: A good forest road for the first few kilometres, then trackless hillside the rest of the way.
- How much drop does Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh have?
- The drop is 419m: measured from the summit of Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh?
- Park at NN242320 near Dalmally. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh?
- Aim for May, June, September on Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh?
- Patchy near the Glen Orchy car park; little or no signal on the pathless upper hill.
- Is Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh safe in winter?
- Modest height but a genuinely remote feel in winter. Snow lies on the upper ridge from December into March, and the broad, featureless top demands confident navigation when the cloud is down. The pathless approach is slow under snow and the burns on the lower slopes can be awkward in spate.
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