Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs
Beinn a' Chleibh
Beinn a' Chleibh (916m) — "hill of the chest/creel" — is the small grassy western satellite of Ben Lui, separated from the parent peak by a narrow bealach above Glen Lochy. It is invariably climbed alongside Ben Lui as a short additional ascent and detour. The summit is a flat top with three small cairns close together — the middle one is the official high point.
Quick facts
- Height
- 916.3m/ 3006ft
- Prominence
- 140 m
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 1100 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN250256
- Parking
- NN239278
- Nearest city
- Oban· 39km
- 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
Coninish track 30% · Open hillside 45% · Summit ridge 25%
The standard approach is from Glen Lochy on the A85, where a forestry-edge layby gives access. Wade or stone-hop the River Lochy (impassable in spate) and climb steeply through young plantation onto the broad east shoulder of Beinn a' Chleibh. From the summit drop east to the bealach and climb Ben Lui — universally done as the pair. Around 12km return with 1100m of ascent for the two.
Terrain
The River Lochy crossing is the crux in normal conditions — knee-deep stones with no bridge, easily impassable after rain. The young forestry plantation is dense and pathless in places. Above the trees, the broad east shoulder is short turf and grass with vague intermittent path. The summit area is three small cairns on flat ground.
In winter
A modest winter outing provided the river crossing is feasible. The bealach between Beinn a' Chleibh and Ben Lui collects wind-blown slab and the steep ascent of Ben Lui from the bealach has serious avalanche history. The Southern Highlands sit outside SAIS coverage so MWIS West Highlands is the best forecast source. The A85 stays gritted but the parking lay-by ices badly.
This hill is in the Southern Highlands SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 39m
- Edinburgh2h 24m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal at Tyndrum. Coverage fades past 700m. Download mapping before leaving the car.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:04
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 04:11
- Civil dusk
- 22:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn a' Chleibh.
Around Beinn a' Chleibh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn a' Chleibh — common questions
- What difficulty is Beinn a' Chleibh?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn a' Chleibh comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 12km and 1100m of ascent on the usual route — 4-6 hours for most parties. Terrain: The River Lochy crossing is the crux in normal conditions — knee-deep stones with no bridge, easily impassable after rain.
- How prominent is Beinn a' Chleibh?
- Beinn a' Chleibh has 140m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Beinn a' Chleibh?
- Standard parking is at NN239278. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Beinn a' Chleibh?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn a' Chleibh are 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 Beinn a' Chleibh?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Beinn a' Chleibh?
- Reasonable signal at Tyndrum. Coverage fades past 700m. Download mapping before leaving the car.
- Is Beinn a' Chleibh safe in winter?
- A modest winter outing provided the river crossing is feasible. The bealach between Beinn a' Chleibh and Ben Lui collects wind-blown slab and the steep ascent of Ben Lui from the bealach has serious avalanche history. The Southern Highlands sit outside SAIS coverage so MWIS West Highlands is the best forecast source. The A85 stays gritted but the parking lay-by ices badly.
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