How difficult is Meall Odhar?

Meall Odhar carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 538m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: Estate track and railway underpass on approach, then steep grass and bracken in the coire.

How much drop does Meall Odhar have?

The drop is 184m: measured from the summit of Meall Odhar down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Meall Odhar?

Park at NN317352. 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 Odhar?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Meall Odhar. 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 Odhar?

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

By Gary

Photo: Steven Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Arrochar & Trossachs

Meall Odhar

Meall Odhar (656m) — the dun hill — is a quiet shoulder in the NN29 square between Tyndrum and the head of Glen Lochay. Its rocky outcrop summit sits on a long crest of grass and rock with views west to the Cruach Ardrain group and east into Glen Lyon.

Quick facts

Height: 656.9m/ 2155ft
Prominence: 184 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~538 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN297298
Parking: NN317352
Nearest city: Oban· 44km
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

heather moorland 65% · grass and sedge 25% · bog and rushes 10%

13km · 538m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Park beside the A82 at Auch and follow the estate track east up Auch Gleann beneath the railway. Branch south up the broad open coire before the bothy and climb the steep grass flank onto the crest. The outcrop appears as a small rock platform at the southern end of the rolling ridge.

Terrain

Estate track and railway underpass on approach, then steep grass and bracken in the coire. The crest is firm short turf with scattered rock — a forgiving ridge for a windy day.

In winter

Auch Gleann channels heavy west-coast snow and the coire flanks of Meall Odhar carry windslab in north-westerlies. A short December day fits well from the A82.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Meall Odhar. 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 41m
Edinburgh2h 21m

Parking: NN317352

OS maps: OS Landranger 50

Mobile signal: Moderate. EE on the A82 corridor near Auch; weaker once in Auch Gleann.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 05mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:39
Civil dawn: 06:12
Civil dusk: 20:17

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

On a long-distance route

Meall Odhar sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.

West Highland Way0.5km

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Around Meall Odhar on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Crianlarich station

Crianlarich Munros — Ben More, Stob Binnein, Ben Lui, Cruach Ardrain

10km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kinlochleven

West Highland Way stop under the Mamores

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.

Meall Odhar — common questions

How difficult is Meall Odhar?: Meall Odhar carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 538m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: Estate track and railway underpass on approach, then steep grass and bracken in the coire.
How much drop does Meall Odhar have?: The drop is 184m: measured from the summit of Meall Odhar down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Meall Odhar?: Park at NN317352. 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 Odhar?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Meall Odhar. 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 Odhar?: 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 Odhar?: Moderate. EE on the A82 corridor near Auch; weaker once in Auch Gleann.
Is Meall Odhar safe in winter?: Auch Gleann channels heavy west-coast snow and the coire flanks of Meall Odhar carry windslab in north-westerlies. A short December day fits well from the A82.

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