How hard is Meall Garbh?

Meall Garbh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 574m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Tarmac, then quad tracks, then knee-deep tussock and bog.

Where do I park for Meall Garbh?

Standard parking is at NN171361 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 Meall Garbh?

The standard good-weather months for Meall Garbh 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 Meall Garbh?

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

How hard is Meall Garbh?

Meall Garbh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 574m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Tarmac, then quad tracks, then knee-deep tussock and bog.

Where do I park for Meall Garbh?

Standard parking is at NN171361 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 Meall Garbh?

The standard good-weather months for Meall Garbh 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 Meall Garbh?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Andrew Spenceley / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Glen Coe & Lochaber

Meall Garbh

Meall Garbh (700m) — the rough lump — is a heathery dome south of Loch Lyon in the NN16 square, hemmed between the Lyon dam and the Munro mass of Stuchd an Lochain. Although modest, its position gives a fine outlook across the Glen Lyon hills and along the chain of reservoirs that drain east to Loch Tay.

Gaelic: “rounded hill, rough” · Pronunciation: myowl garrav

Quick facts

Height: 700.3m/ 2298ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 574 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN167367
Parking: NN171361
Nearest city: Oban
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 15%

13km · 574m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Start from the road end at Loch Lyon dam. Follow the metalled service road around the loch's south shore for around 2km then leave it for a deer-fence corner, climbing south on tussocks to gain the broad east ridge. A faint quad trail traces the crest to the cairn.

Terrain

Tarmac, then quad tracks, then knee-deep tussock and bog. The east ridge has occasional schist outcrops but stays gentle. The summit dome is broad cropped grass with no defining feature beyond its small cairn.

In winter

South of the main Breadalbane crest, this corner of Glen Lyon catches drier, more continental snow than peaks to the west. Drifting can fill the col between Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Eachan to surprising depth. SAIS Southern Cairngorms forecasts apply once snow lies past Christmas.

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

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 46m
Edinburgh3h 40m

Parking: NN171361

OS maps: OS Landranger 50

Mobile signal: Moderate. EE connects intermittently on summit; stronger on south-facing slopes toward Loch Tay.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 13mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:55
Civil dawn: 03:41
Civil dusk: 22:54

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Meall Garbh on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dalmally station

Ben Cruachan; Dalmally Horseshoe; Argyll inland access

9km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

32km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Meall Garbh — common questions

How hard is Meall Garbh?: Meall Garbh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 574m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Tarmac, then quad tracks, then knee-deep tussock and bog.
Where do I park for Meall Garbh?: Standard parking is at NN171361 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 Meall Garbh?: The standard good-weather months for Meall Garbh 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 Meall Garbh?: 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 Meall Garbh?: Moderate. EE connects intermittently on summit; stronger on south-facing slopes toward Loch Tay.
Is Meall Garbh safe in winter?: South of the main Breadalbane crest, this corner of Glen Lyon catches drier, more continental snow than peaks to the west. Drifting can fill the col between Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Eachan to surprising depth. SAIS Southern Cairngorms forecasts apply once snow lies past Christmas.