Munro · Fife & Perthshire
Beinn Mhanach
Beinn Mhanach (953m) — "the monk's hill" — is the tucked-away Munro behind the Bridge of Orchy chain, sitting east of Beinn Achaladair on the rough watershed between Glen Lyon and the Loch Tulla country. The hill is awkward to combine with its more famous neighbours due to the deep bealach between Beinn an Dòthaidh and Beinn Mhanach. Most often climbed as a long standalone via the Water of Tulla from Achallader.
Quick facts
- Height
- 952.5m/ 3125ft
- Prominence
- 315 m
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 838 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN373411
- Parking
- NN322443
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 42km
- 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
Track / Water of Tulla approach 45% · Open hillside 35% · Summit 20%
Park at the Achallader Farm lay-by, west of Bridge of Orchy on the A82. Follow the estate track east beneath the West Highland Line viaduct, then continue east up the Water of Tulla glen on the long landrover track to the foot of Beinn Mhanach. Climb the broad south-west ridge straight up to the summit cairn, then reverse the line. Around 17km return with 870m of ascent — a long day for a single Munro.
Terrain
The Achallader landrover track runs along the Water of Tulla — firm landrover surface for many kilometres but a tedious in-and-out walk. Above the track the south-west ridge is sustained heathery hillside. The summit is a small cairn on a broad rounded top. The descent reverses the long approach — pace carefully.
In winter
A serious Bridge of Orchy winter day, demanding because of the long approach. In normal conditions the Water of Tulla track stays passable. The wide summit accumulates heavy drift but seldom produces avalanche-prone ground. The A82 corridor remains reliably gritted; the closest formal avalanche forecast area is SAIS Glencoe. Mobile reception fades above 700m.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 52m
- Edinburgh2h 21m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: No reception above 700m. Bridge of Orchy has 4G. The Water of Tulla approach track loses signal quickly. Get mapping saved before heading out.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Mhanach.
Around Beinn Mhanach on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Mhanach — common questions
- Is Beinn Mhanach a hard climb?
- Beinn Mhanach is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 838m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Ground conditions: The Achallader landrover track runs along the Water of Tulla — firm landrover surface for many kilometres but a tedious in-and-out walk.
- How much drop does Beinn Mhanach have?
- The drop is 315m: measured from the summit of Beinn Mhanach down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Beinn Mhanach?
- Park at NN322443. 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 Beinn Mhanach?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn Mhanach. 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 Beinn Mhanach?
- 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 Beinn Mhanach?
- No reception above 700m. Bridge of Orchy has 4G. The Water of Tulla approach track loses signal quickly. Get mapping saved before heading out.
- Is Beinn Mhanach safe in winter?
- A serious Bridge of Orchy winter day, demanding because of the long approach. In normal conditions the Water of Tulla track stays passable. The wide summit accumulates heavy drift but seldom produces avalanche-prone ground. The A82 corridor remains reliably gritted; the closest formal avalanche forecast area is SAIS Glencoe. Mobile reception fades above 700m.
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