Corbett · Glen Orchy
Beinn Udlaidh
Beinn Udlaidh is the broad twin-summited Corbett rising north of Glen Orchy between Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum. At 840m it is overshadowed by neighbouring Munros — Ben Cruachan to the west, the Bridge of Orchy four to the north — but its sweeping north face is one of the most reliable winter climbing venues in the country. The Udlaidh Gully system holds ice into late spring and turns the hill into a winter mountaineering crag. In summer it is a quiet Corbett of moor and broken crag.
Quick facts
- Height
- 840.4m/ 2757ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 739 m
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN280332
- Parking
- NN303326
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen approach 25% · steep grass 35% · broad ridge 30% · summit dome 10%
The usual start is from the bridge over the Allt Coire Bhiocair on the Glen Orchy road, walking north past the cottage at Invergaunan and following the burn into the upper corrie. From the corrie floor a steep climb west onto the south ridge leads to the broad summit dome. Around 15km return with 739m of ascent. Often combined with neighbouring Beinn Bhreac-liath across the bealach for a Glen Orchy double.
Terrain
The lower approach beside the burn is rough peat and bracken with no significant path. The climb onto the south ridge is steep grass and broken rock — slow, with some hand-on-rock moves in places. The summit dome itself is broad short grass with two cairns about 200m apart. The north face drops away in a 200m crag broken by the famous gullies; keep well back from the edge in poor visibility.
In winter
The Udlaidh gullies are one of the great Scottish winter venues — Quartzvein Scoop, Central Gully and others give reliable Grade III-IV ice from early December to April. The walkers' approach via the south ridge is straightforward in good conditions but avalanche-prone after westerly loading on the steep grass section. The Glen Orchy road is gritted but the side roads to the bridge can ice.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 47m
- Edinburgh2h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Intermittent in Glen Orchy; nothing on the upper hill
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 21:54
- Civil dawn
- 03:40
- Civil dusk
- 22:53
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Udlaidh.
On a long-distance route
Beinn Udlaidh sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Beinn Udlaidh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Udlaidh — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Udlaidh?
- Beinn Udlaidh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 739m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-7 hours. Terrain: The lower approach beside the burn is rough peat and bracken with no significant path.
- Where do I park for Beinn Udlaidh?
- Standard parking is at NN303326 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 Udlaidh?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Udlaidh 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 Udlaidh?
- 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 Udlaidh?
- Intermittent in Glen Orchy; nothing on the upper hill
- Is Beinn Udlaidh safe in winter?
- The Udlaidh gullies are one of the great Scottish winter venues — Quartzvein Scoop, Central Gully and others give reliable Grade III-IV ice from early December to April. The walkers' approach via the south ridge is straightforward in good conditions but avalanche-prone after westerly loading on the steep grass section. The Glen Orchy road is gritted but the side roads to the bridge can ice.