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
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 838 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN373411
- Parking
- NN322443
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
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 signal above 700m. Bridge of Orchy has 4G. The Water of Tulla approach track loses signal quickly. Download maps before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:31
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:29
- Civil dusk
- 23:06
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 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
- How hard is Beinn Mhanach?
- 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. Terrain: The Achallader landrover track runs along the Water of Tulla — firm landrover surface for many kilometres but a tedious in-and-out walk.
- Where do I park for Beinn Mhanach?
- Standard parking is at NN322443 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Mhanach?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Mhanach 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 Mhanach?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Beinn Mhanach?
- No signal above 700m. Bridge of Orchy has 4G. The Water of Tulla approach track loses signal quickly. Download maps before setting off.
- 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.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.