How hard is Beinn Odhar?

We grade Beinn Odhar at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. The usual route is around 8km with 730m of climbing; allow 2-4 hours. Ground conditions: Grass and heather throughout — wet on the lower flanks, drier on the upper cone.

How much drop does Beinn Odhar have?

The drop is 457m: measured from the summit of Beinn Odhar down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Beinn Odhar?

Park at NN329308. 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 Odhar?

Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Odhar. 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 Odhar?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Trevor Littlewood / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Fife & Perthshire

Beinn Odhar

Beinn Odhar is the shapely cone rising directly above Tyndrum on the A82 — every driver heading north to Glen Coe or Fort William sees it, and many a hillwalker has bagged it on a quick stop on the way home from somewhere further west. The 901m summit gives a panoramic view across Strath Fillan to Ben More and Stob Binnein, north to Beinn Dorain's flanks, and west into Glen Lochy. The walk is short, sharp, and almost cartoonishly simple in shape: a steady climb up a grass cone with no route-finding required.

Quick facts

Height: 900.8m/ 2955ft
Prominence: 457 m
Distance: ~8 km
Ascent: ~730 m
Time: 2–4 hrs
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NN337338
Parking: NN329308
Nearest city: Fort William· 46km
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

roadside grass 20% · heather slope 40% · grassy ridge 30% · summit area 10%

8km · 730m ascent · 4 hrs

Park in the lay-by just north of Tyndrum at Auchertyre or use the village car park. From either, cross the railway and pick up the path heading north onto Beinn Odhar's south ridge. The route climbs steadily and almost continuously over grass and heather to the summit. There are no false tops to speak of; the hill is the climb. The descent reverses the line, or for a longer day continue north over the saddle to Beinn Chaorach. Allow 3.5–4.5 hours.

Terrain

Grass and heather throughout — wet on the lower flanks, drier on the upper cone. A clear path of sorts, made by feet rather than estate work, runs most of the way. The summit area is broad and grassy with a modest cairn. Easier underfoot than most western Corbetts.

In winter

An excellent winter introduction Corbett — the cone shape gives no avalanche-prone steep ground, the route is hard to lose, and access from Tyndrum is reliable in all but the worst weather. Snow holds well on the north-east aspect. Crampons rarely essential; axe helpful for confidence on the upper grass. Great early-season fitness day.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Odhar. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southeastern Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 44m
Edinburgh2h 20m

Parking: NN329308FK20 8RY

OS maps: OS Landranger 50

Mobile signal: Reasonable EE/Vodafone in Tyndrum village; intermittent on the upper south ridge; usable on the summit in direct view of the A82

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:48
Sunset: 18:22
Civil dawn: 07:10
Civil dusk: 19:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Beinn Odhar on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kinlochleven

West Highland Way stop under the Mamores

32km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Beinn Odhar — common questions

How hard is Beinn Odhar?: We grade Beinn Odhar at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. The usual route is around 8km with 730m of climbing; allow 2-4 hours. Ground conditions: Grass and heather throughout — wet on the lower flanks, drier on the upper cone.
How much drop does Beinn Odhar have?: The drop is 457m: measured from the summit of Beinn Odhar down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Beinn Odhar?: Park at NN329308. 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 Odhar?: Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Odhar. 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 Odhar?: 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 Odhar?: Reasonable EE/Vodafone in Tyndrum village; intermittent on the upper south ridge; usable on the summit in direct view of the A82
Is Beinn Odhar safe in winter?: An excellent winter introduction Corbett — the cone shape gives no avalanche-prone steep ground, the route is hard to lose, and access from Tyndrum is reliable in all but the worst weather. Snow holds well on the north-east aspect. Crampons rarely essential; axe helpful for confidence on the upper grass. Great early-season fitness day.

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