How hard is Beinn Damhain?

Beinn Damhain is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 561m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: West Highland Way and bridge, then very steep grass and outcrop to the summit.

Where do I park for Beinn Damhain?

Standard parking is at NN250133 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 Damhain?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Damhain are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Damhain?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Beinn Damhain?

Beinn Damhain is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 561m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: West Highland Way and bridge, then very steep grass and outcrop to the summit.

Where do I park for Beinn Damhain?

Standard parking is at NN250133 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 Damhain?

The standard good-weather months for Beinn Damhain are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Damhain?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Alan O'Dowd / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Arrochar & Trossachs

Beinn Damhain

Beinn Damhain (684m) — the hill of the stag — is a pyramidal schist peak above Glen Falloch, set in the NN21 square west of Crianlarich. Its steep northern face plunges over 400m to the West Highland Way in the glen below. The summit looks east to Beinn a' Chleibh and west toward Beinn Bhuidhe.

Quick facts

Height: 684.2m/ 2245ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 561 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN282172
Parking: NN250133
Nearest city: Oban
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather and bog 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%

13km · 561m ascent · 3.5 hrs

From the parking pull-in on the A82 at the foot of Glen Falloch take the West Highland Way north for 1km then cross the river by the footbridge. Climb the south-east ridge directly on cropped grass and schist outcrop. The ridge is steep and unrelenting but the going is firm.

Terrain

West Highland Way and bridge, then very steep grass and outcrop to the summit. The south-east ridge has occasional schist steps requiring use of hands but stays well within walking. The summit is a tiny cropped turf platform with no shelter.

In winter

Glen Falloch sits in the wet western belt and snow is heavy but transient. Beinn Damhain's steep south-east ridge ices fast and becomes a serious Grade I outing. Cornices form along the northern crags above the West Highland Way. SAIS Glen Coe forecasts apply.

This hill is in the Lochaber SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 26m
Edinburgh2h 16m

Parking: NN250133

OS maps: OS Landranger 50, OS Landranger 56

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Cowal/Knapdale area; limited coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:53
Civil dawn: 03:42
Civil dusk: 22:52

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Beinn Damhain on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Arrochar & Tarbet station

Arrochar Alps — The Cobbler, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain, Ben Vane, Ben Vorlich

13km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Luss

West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way

25km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Beinn Damhain — common questions

How hard is Beinn Damhain?: Beinn Damhain is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 561m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: West Highland Way and bridge, then very steep grass and outcrop to the summit.
Where do I park for Beinn Damhain?: Standard parking is at NN250133 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 Damhain?: The standard good-weather months for Beinn Damhain are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Damhain?: 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 Damhain?: Poor. Remote Cowal/Knapdale area; limited coverage.
Is Beinn Damhain safe in winter?: Glen Falloch sits in the wet western belt and snow is heavy but transient. Beinn Damhain's steep south-east ridge ices fast and becomes a serious Grade I outing. Cornices form along the northern crags above the West Highland Way. SAIS Glen Coe forecasts apply.