Is Beinn Mhanach a hard climb?

Beinn Mhanach is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 870m 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.

By Gary

Photo: Alan Reid / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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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: ~17 km
Ascent: ~870 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
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%

17km · 870m ascent · 4.9 hrs

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. Mobile reception fades above 700m.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Mhanach. 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 Southeastern 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 52m
Edinburgh2h 21m

Parking: NN322443

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

14h 46mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:33
Sunset: 20:00
Civil dawn: 05:54
Civil dusk: 20:40

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Mhanach.

Big day out
Beinn Mhanach + Beinn Achaladair
Beinn Mhanach and Beinn Achaladair can be combined on a long Achallader day — crossing over from Beinn Achaladair to Beinn Mhanach and back.
22km · 1400m ascent · 9 hrs

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Around Beinn Mhanach on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kinlochleven

West Highland Way stop under the Mamores

28km 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.

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 17km with 870m 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. Mobile reception fades above 700m.

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