Is Meall an Fhudair a hard climb?

Meall an Fhudair is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 626m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: The estate track in Glen Falloch is firm.

How much drop does Meall an Fhudair have?

The drop is 382m: measured from the summit of Meall an Fhudair down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Meall an Fhudair?

Park at NN320185. 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 Meall an Fhudair?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meall an Fhudair. 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 Meall an Fhudair?

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: Richard Law / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Arrochar & Trossachs

Meall an Fhudair

Meall an Fhudair — "hill of the powder", apparently a reference to old whisky-still smoke — is a 764m Corbett at the head of Glen Falloch, between Tyndrum and Loch Lomond. The hill sits in the rolling country east of the A82, with 382m of prominence putting it well clear of any near neighbour. The summit is a wide grassy dome rather than a defined peak; the highest point is unmarked except by a few small stones on broad mossy turf. View south down the length of Loch Lomond is exceptional.

Quick facts

Height: 764m/ 2507ft
Prominence: 382 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~626 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN270192
Parking: NN320185
Nearest city: Oban· 42km
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

glen path 20% · steep heather 40% · grassy ridge 30% · summit area 10%

14km · 626m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Park at Inverarnan on the A82 at the head of Loch Lomond and follow the rough estate track east up Glen Falloch toward Beinglas. After roughly 3km on the track, climb open grass slopes north onto the broad south ridge of Meall an Fhudair. The ridge gives a steady pull to the summit dome. Around 14km return with 626m of ascent.

Terrain

The estate track in Glen Falloch is firm. Beyond the track the slopes are short heather and grass mixed with patches of bog — pathless but undemanding. The summit area is broad mossy turf with no clear high point; carry a GPS or take a careful bearing in mist. No exposure or scrambling.

In winter

A gentle winter Corbett — easy gradients, no avalanche risk, and a reliable A82 approach. The summit dome is featureless in whiteout; navigation is the main concern. The Glen Falloch road and Inverarnan are gritted year-round. Often used as an alternative on days when the higher Arrochar Alps are weathered out.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meall an Fhudair. 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 West 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 30m
Edinburgh2h 18m

Parking: NN320185

OS maps: OS Landranger 50, OS Landranger 56

Mobile signal: Reasonable signal at Inverarnan; intermittent on the summit

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 Meall an Fhudair on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Luss

West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way

28km 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.

Meall an Fhudair — common questions

Is Meall an Fhudair a hard climb?: Meall an Fhudair is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 626m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Ground conditions: The estate track in Glen Falloch is firm.
How much drop does Meall an Fhudair have?: The drop is 382m: measured from the summit of Meall an Fhudair down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Meall an Fhudair?: Park at NN320185. 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 Meall an Fhudair?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Meall an Fhudair. 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 Meall an Fhudair?: 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 Meall an Fhudair?: Reasonable signal at Inverarnan; intermittent on the summit
Is Meall an Fhudair safe in winter?: A gentle winter Corbett — easy gradients, no avalanche risk, and a reliable A82 approach. The summit dome is featureless in whiteout; navigation is the main concern. The Glen Falloch road and Inverarnan are gritted year-round. Often used as an alternative on days when the higher Arrochar Alps are weathered out.

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