Is Deadh Choimhead a hard climb?

Deadh Choimhead is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Forestry tracks lower down, then bog, heather and tussock on the open hillside.

How much drop does Deadh Choimhead have?

The drop is 283m: measured from the summit of Deadh Choimhead down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Deadh Choimhead?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Deadh Choimhead. 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 Deadh Choimhead?

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

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll & Bute

Deadh Choimhead

Deadh Choimhead — the Good Lookout — is a 383m Marilyn between Lochs Awe and Avich. The name reflects its role as a panoramic point over the mid-Argyll lochs and forests.

Quick facts

Height: 383m/ 1257ft
Prominence: 283 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NM 94687 28642
Nearest city: Oban· 9km
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 and bog 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from the B845 near Kilmelford or from forestry car parks off the Loch Avich road. A mix of track and rough open hill leads to the cairn; budget around 3 hours for the round.

Terrain

Forestry tracks lower down, then bog, heather and tussock on the open hillside. A small rocky crown gives the views suggested by the name.

In winter

Generally benign but iced track surfaces can be slippery and the bog freezes into uneven, ankle-twisting ground. Microspikes help on hard days.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Deadh Choimhead. 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

Glasgow3h 7m
Edinburgh6h 39m

OS maps: OS Landranger 49, OS Explorer 360N, OS Explorer 376

Mobile signal: Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; Loch Awe-side has limited infrastructure.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:50
Sunset: 19:44
Civil dawn: 06:12
Civil dusk: 20:22

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Deadh Choimhead on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

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

9km 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

9km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Deadh Choimhead — common questions

Is Deadh Choimhead a hard climb?: Deadh Choimhead is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Forestry tracks lower down, then bog, heather and tussock on the open hillside.
How much drop does Deadh Choimhead have?: The drop is 283m: measured from the summit of Deadh Choimhead down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Deadh Choimhead?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Deadh Choimhead. 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 Deadh Choimhead?: 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 Deadh Choimhead?: Poor. No coverage on summit or approach; Loch Awe-side has limited infrastructure.
Is Deadh Choimhead safe in winter?: Generally benign but iced track surfaces can be slippery and the bog freezes into uneven, ankle-twisting ground. Microspikes help on hard days.

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