How hard is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?

We grade Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 593m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Atlantic oak woodland on the lower slopes — pleasant walking on root-laced paths.

What is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)'s prominence?

159m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?

Most walkers start from NN018414. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?

April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac). Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) dog-friendly?

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

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Rude Health / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)

A heathery Graham on the north side of Glen Creran in Appin, looking south-west to Loch Creran and the Lismore islands. A quiet hill in a quiet glen — perfect for a short Argyll day.

Quick facts

Height: 723.8m/ 2375ft
Prominence: 159 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~593 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN008408
Parking: NN018414
Nearest city: Oban· 18km
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% · heather hillside 50% · grassy upper slopes 20% · summit area 10%

13km · 593m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Park at the Glasdrum National Nature Reserve car park at the foot of Glen Creran. Follow the reserve path north into the oak woods, then break east on faint deer tracks up the south-west ridge to the broad summit.

Terrain

Atlantic oak woodland on the lower slopes — pleasant walking on root-laced paths. Higher up, deep heather and small crags. The summit is grassy and rounded.

In winter

Low-altitude Argyll Graham — snow rarely lies long but the oak woods become genuinely greasy after rain. Watch for fallen branches after winter storms.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac). 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 2m
Edinburgh3h 1m

Parking: NN018414

OS maps: OS Landranger 50

Mobile signal: Patchy in Glen Creran; better near the Loch Creran shore

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:50
Sunset: 18:24
Civil dawn: 07:12
Civil dusk: 19:02

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Loch Awe station

East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle

18km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Oban

Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles

18km from the hill

tastescot.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.

Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) — common questions

How hard is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?: We grade Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 593m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Atlantic oak woodland on the lower slopes — pleasant walking on root-laced paths.
What is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)'s prominence?: 159m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?: Most walkers start from NN018414. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?: April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac). Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) dog-friendly?: 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 Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac)?: Patchy in Glen Creran; better near the Loch Creran shore
Is Mam Hael (Beinn Bhreac) safe in winter?: Low-altitude Argyll Graham — snow rarely lies long but the oak woods become genuinely greasy after rain. Watch for fallen branches after winter storms.

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