Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs
Beinn Narnain
Beinn Narnain (926m) is the central peak of the classic Arrochar trio above Loch Long, sitting between The Cobbler and Beinn Ime. It is recognised by the curious Spearhead — a leaning rock pinnacle on the final pull — and a flat summit plateau topped by a trig point. The hill has a tougher, more direct character than its neighbours and is a Glasgow weekend favourite.
Quick facts
- Height
- 926.8m/ 3041ft
- Prominence
- 290 m
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 967 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN271066
- Parking
- NN294049
- Nearest city
- Oban· 47km
- 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
Forest path 30% · Open hillside 45% · Summit area 25%
Start from the large car park at Succoth at the head of Loch Long. Climb the steep zig-zags through forestry up the Allt Sugach to the Bealach a' Mhaim, then turn south-east up the rocky shoulder past the Spearhead pinnacle. Many parties traverse north-west afterwards to take in Beinn Ime, returning by the same bealach. Around 11km return with 1050m of ascent for Narnain alone.
Terrain
The Succoth zig-zags rise steeply through commercial forestry on a worn boggy path. Above the bealach the angle eases onto rocky mica-schist with one short scrambling step at the Spearhead. The summit plateau is broad rock slabs with a trig point set in a shallow stone shelter.
In winter
A genuinely wintry hill despite its southerly latitude — the Arrochar Alps catch heavy snowfall from south-westerlies. The Spearhead step ices reliably and the summit slabs become slippery glass. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is closest but conditions diverge; check MWIS West Highlands. Daylight is reasonable and the A83 stays open in normal conditions.
This hill is in the Southern Highlands SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 15m
- Edinburgh2h 12m
OS maps: OS Landranger 56
Mobile signal: Good signal at Arrochar village and along the A83. Bars drop away above 700m.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:05
- Sunset
- 21:46
- Civil dawn
- 04:12
- Civil dusk
- 22:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Narnain.
On a long-distance route
Beinn Narnain sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Beinn Narnain on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Arrochar & Tarbet station
Arrochar Alps — The Cobbler, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain, Ben Vane, Ben Vorlich
4km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Luss
West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Loch Lomond
Alexandria — sprawling distillery on the south end of the loch
29km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Beinn Narnain — common questions
- How difficult is Beinn Narnain?
- Beinn Narnain carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 10km, 967m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: The Succoth zig-zags rise steeply through commercial forestry on a worn boggy path.
- How prominent is Beinn Narnain?
- Beinn Narnain has 290m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Beinn Narnain?
- Standard parking is at NN294049. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Beinn Narnain?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Narnain 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 Narnain?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Beinn Narnain?
- Good signal at Arrochar village and along the A83. Bars drop away above 700m.
- Is Beinn Narnain safe in winter?
- A genuinely wintry hill despite its southerly latitude — the Arrochar Alps catch heavy snowfall from south-westerlies. The Spearhead step ices reliably and the summit slabs become slippery glass. SAIS Southern Cairngorms is closest but conditions diverge; check MWIS West Highlands. Daylight is reasonable and the A83 stays open in normal conditions.
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