What difficulty is Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Expect roughly 13km and 670m of ascent on the usual route — 3-5 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Reasonable stalkers' path along the loch — sometimes boggy.

How much drop does Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) have?

The drop is 354m: measured from the summit of Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?

Park at NH130090. 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 Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne). 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 Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?

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

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Photo: Tony Kinghorn / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Knoydart

Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)

Druim nan Cnàmh — 'the ridge of bones' — is the long whaleback Corbett rising between Loch Loyne and Glen Loyne, north of the Cluanie Inn. The 789m summit sits at the highest point of a broad east-west ridge that connects loosely to the Cluanie Munros via a series of grassy bealachs. Also known as Beinn Loinne in some older guides. The walk crosses open Cluanie country with a sense of empty space and stalking-estate quiet typical of the area.

Quick facts

Height: 789m/ 2589ft
Prominence: 354 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~670 m
Time: 3–5 hrs
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NH130076
Parking: NH130090
Nearest city: Fort William· 34km
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

loch-side path 20% · rough heather 45% · grassy upper slopes 25% · summit area 10%

13km · 670m ascent · 5.5 hrs

Park at the Cluanie dam layby on the A87 (NH130090). Cross the road and follow a stalkers' path heading south-east along Loch Loyne for around 3km. From the loch shore, climb north onto the broad east ridge of Druim nan Cnàmh. The route gains the summit along a grassy whaleback with a small cairn on a rocky outcrop. Allow 5–6 hours.

Terrain

Reasonable stalkers' path along the loch — sometimes boggy. Above the loch the going is heather and grass on broad open slopes. The summit ridge is wide and gently undulating with no rocky difficulties; the cairn is small and sits on a rocky outcrop.

In winter

Snow lies well on the broad ridge from January through March. The A87 at the Cluanie dam is reliably ploughed. Easterlies coming down Glen Cluanie can be ferocious on the exposed top. No avalanche concerns on the standard ascent — a friendly winter Corbett for the area.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne). 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 The Northwest 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

Glasgow3h 11m
Edinburgh3h 21m

Parking: NH130090IV63 7YW

OS maps: OS Landranger 34

Mobile signal: Zero signal in this remote Glen Moriston/Loch Loyne area

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 08mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:41
Civil dawn: 06:12
Civil dusk: 20:20

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

On a long-distance route

Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.

Cape Wrath Trail0.1km

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Around Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Roy Bridge station

Glen Roy; Grey Corries (Stob Choire Claurigh, Sgurr Choinnich Mor)

30km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Fort William

Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber

34km 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.

Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) — common questions

What difficulty is Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Expect roughly 13km and 670m of ascent on the usual route — 3-5 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: Reasonable stalkers' path along the loch — sometimes boggy.
How much drop does Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) have?: The drop is 354m: measured from the summit of Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?: Park at NH130090. 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 Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne). 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 Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?: 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 Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne)?: Zero signal in this remote Glen Moriston/Loch Loyne area
Is Druim nan Cnamh (Beinn Loinne) safe in winter?: Snow lies well on the broad ridge from January through March. The A87 at the Cluanie dam is reliably ploughed. Easterlies coming down Glen Cluanie can be ferocious on the exposed top. No avalanche concerns on the standard ascent — a friendly winter Corbett for the area.

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