Corbett · Ardgour
Creach Bheinn
The Appin Creach Bheinn — the better-known of the two Creach Bheinns of Argyll, distinct from the Morvern hill — rises north of Loch Creran between Glen Etive and Glen Creran. At 810m it is a multi-topped hill with a huge boulder cairn at the highest point and a long broken summit ridge. Its position above the Glen Etive road gives an unobstructed view of Buachaille Etive Mor and the head of Glen Coe — one of the great close-range vistas of the Glen Coe area.
Quick facts
- Height
- 810m/ 2657ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 713 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN023422
- Parking
- NN036488
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
estate track 30% · steep heather 30% · broken ridge 30% · summit boulder 10%
The classic line is from the small parking area at the head of Loch Creran near Elleric, following the estate track up Glen Creran for around 4km before climbing east onto the open hillside. The route ascends steeply through rough heather to gain the south ridge then follows it to the boulder summit. Around 15km return with 713m of ascent. Often combined with neighbouring Fuar Bheinn for a Glen Creran double.
Terrain
The Glen Creran estate track is firm gravel. Off the track the lower hillside is bracken and bog with no path; the steep climb onto the south ridge is on tussocky grass. The summit ridge is broken rock and short turf with the huge boulder cairn at the high point unmistakable. The drop east into Glen Etive is crag-broken; navigate south on descent to avoid the cliffs.
In winter
A surprisingly serious winter Corbett — the steep south face accumulates avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms, and the summit ridge develops cornices on the east side above Glen Etive. The boulder cairn in rime makes a striking landmark. The Glen Creran road can drift up; the A828 is gritted.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 2m
- Edinburgh3h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Intermittent at Elleric; nothing on the summit ridge
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:41
- Sunset
- 21:57
- Civil dawn
- 03:41
- Civil dusk
- 22:56
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Creach Bheinn.
Around Creach Bheinn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Loch Awe station
East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle
18km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
21km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Oban
Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles
21km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Creach Bheinn — common questions
- How hard is Creach Bheinn?
- Creach Bheinn is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 713m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: The Glen Creran estate track is firm gravel.
- Where do I park for Creach Bheinn?
- Standard parking is at NN036488 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 Creach Bheinn?
- The standard good-weather months for Creach Bheinn 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 Creach Bheinn?
- 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 Creach Bheinn?
- Intermittent at Elleric; nothing on the summit ridge
- Is Creach Bheinn safe in winter?
- A surprisingly serious winter Corbett — the steep south face accumulates avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms, and the summit ridge develops cornices on the east side above Glen Etive. The boulder cairn in rime makes a striking landmark. The Glen Creran road can drift up; the A828 is gritted.