NN2706 : Gully beside The Spierhead buttress, Beinn Narnain
Strenuous; scrambling on the south-east ridge

Beinn Narnain

927m Elevation
290m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN2706 : Gully beside The Spierhead buttress, Beinn Narnain

wfmillar Photo source

Overview

Beinn Narnain is a 926.8 m Munro in the Arrochar Alps above Loch Long. Its summit is a rock outcrop beside the trig point. The direct ascent from Succoth follows the rocky south-east ridge, while a longer approach through Coire a' Bhalachain reaches the summit from the west.

Beinn Narnain

Beinn Narnain is a 926.8 m Munro above Loch Long, with a rock-outcrop summit beside a trig point. Its position in the Arrochar Alps gives views towards The Cobbler, Beinn Ime and Ben Lomond.

Choosing a route

The direct Succoth ascent climbs the south-east ridge over Cruach nam Miseag and through the gully beside the Spearhead. Wet rock and short scrambling sections make it a demanding hillwalk. The western approach uses Coire a' Bhalachain and the col beyond the Narnain Boulders.

The route cards describe complete returns to Succoth. The Beinn Ime circuit adds a second Munro; the Cobbler circuit adds a summit ridge whose highest tower is an optional, exposed Grade 3 scramble. Anyone stopping below that tower has not reached The Cobbler's true summit.

Access

The usual start is the paid council car park at Glenloin No 2, Succoth, off the A83. Arrochar has toilets, shops and cafés. Rail travellers should allow for the walk between Arrochar & Tarbet station and the trailhead.

Landscape and history

Dalradian schists characterise the surrounding range. Research identifies remnants of an older upland surface on Narnain's plateau, modified by rock-slope failure. Concrete remains along the direct approach belong to the construction railway for the Loch Sloy hydro-electric scheme.

Conditions

Carry independent navigation and check the mountain forecast. Snow or ice can turn the rocky ground into winter mountaineering terrain, requiring suitable equipment and practised skills. Plan for reduced daylight; avoid the Cobbler tower in wet, windy or icy conditions.

Further information

Explore routes near Beinn Narnain

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Beinn Ime from Succoth

15.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

The Cobbler from Succoth Carpark

10.5 km ~6h Hard

View route

Ben Lomond in the trossachs

12.1 km ~5h Hard

View route

Loch Katrine: Brenachoile Point Shore Walk from Trossachs Pier

7.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Beinn Narnain by the western bealach

From the paid Succoth car park, cross the A83 and take the main zigzag path into Coire a' Bhalachain. Continue past the Narnain Boulders, keeping beyond the earlier turn for The Cobbler's corrie, to the col between the two hills. Turn towards Narnain, climbing north then east to its summit plateau. Return by the same route to Succoth. This avoids the direct south-east ridge's scrambling, but still involves a substantial climb and stony upper ground.

Strenuous hillwalk

Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime circuit

Start and finish at Succoth. Climb Narnain's south-east ridge over Cruach nam Miseag, using the rocky gully right of the Spearhead. Descend west-north-west and follow the connecting path to Bealach a' Mhaim. Climb Ime's southern slopes, then retrace to the bealach. Descend Coire a' Bhalachain past the Narnain Boulders and small dam; follow the main woodland zigzags back to the A83 and car park. Walkhighlands gives 13.8 km and 6–7 hours for this complete two-Munro round.

13.8 km Strenuous with easy scrambling

South-east ridge and Coire a' Bhalachain return

From Succoth car park, cross the A83 and leave the main woodland path almost immediately for the unmarked direct path uphill. Cross the forestry track and continue over wet rocky steps and Cruach nam Miseag. Pass right of the Spearhead through its rocky gully to the summit. Descend west-north-west to the col path, then south-east down Coire a' Bhalachain. Pass the Narnain Boulders and dam; stay on the main path and woodland zigzags to return to Succoth. The direct ascent is steep, eroded and requires hands on rock.

Strenuous with easy scrambling

Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler circuit

Climb Narnain's south-east ridge from Succoth, then descend west-north-west to the col linking it with The Cobbler. Climb the stepped path south to The Cobbler's summit ridge and Centre Peak. The highest rock tower requires an optional exposed Grade 3 scramble through a rock window and along a ledge, reversing the same moves to descend; stopping below it does not reach the true summit. Return down the stepped path to the col, then descend Coire a' Bhalachain past the Narnain Boulders and follow the main woodland zigzags back to Succoth.

Strenuous; optional Grade 3 scramble
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

927m

3,041 ft

Prominence

290m

Coordinates

56.2210, -4.7890

NN271066

OS Map

56

Explorer: OL39S 364S

At the Summit

The highest point is a rock outcrop beside the stone-built trig point on the summit plateau.

Terrain & Geology

Woodland zigzags wet and eroded direct-ascent path rocky steps and a short gully on the south-east ridge stony summit plateau constructed paths through Coire a' Bhalachain

The surrounding Arrochar Alps are characterised by Dalradian schists. Geological Conservation Review research identifies an older upland surface preserved on Beinn Narnain's plateau, with part of the plateau removed by rock-slope failure to leave a fractured ridge.

Views & Scenery

Views include The Cobbler below to the south-west, Beinn Ime to the north-west, Ben Vane to the north, Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond to the east, and Loch Long towards the Firth of Clyde.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Often translated as 'hill of notches'. The National Park's Gaelic guide relates the older spelling Ben Varnan to Beinn Bheàrnan, meaning 'mountain of fissures', referring to its eastern side.

Historical Significance

The direct Succoth ascent follows remains of an incline railway used to carry workers and equipment uphill during construction of the Loch Sloy hydro-electric scheme. Concrete foundations survive beside the path.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use the paid Glenloin No 2 / Succoth car park off the A83 at the head of Loch Long, around NN294048. Argyll and Bute Council lists Glenloin No 2 at G83 7AL as pay-and-display, Monday–Sunday, 9am–6pm. Its published 2026/27 Arrochar Glenloin tariff is £1.20 per hour or £10.30 per day. Check the signs for current payment terms; the neighbouring Glenloin No 1 car park is privately operated.

Public Transport

Buses from Glasgow towards Inveraray stop in Arrochar. Arrochar & Tarbet railway station is about 1½ miles from the car park via a forest path, so allow for the walk to and from the route start. Check current connections and return times with Traveline Scotland.

Nearby Facilities

Public toilets, shops and cafés are in Arrochar village across the head of Loch Long. Carry food, water and appropriate hillwalking equipment for the mountain.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The direct path from Succoth is unmarked at its lower junction, steep and often wet. Rocky steps can carry running water after rain.
  • Hands are needed on parts of the south-east ridge and in the gully beside the Spearhead. Loose stones, wet rock and nearby crags require care.
  • Low cloud can obscure the correct descent from the summit plateau; carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • The Cobbler extension has a separate exposed summit-tower scramble with a narrow ledge above a sheer drop; the moves must be reversed to descend.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can conceal paths and make the rocky ridge and gullies serious winter terrain. Winter navigation, avalanche awareness, suitable boots, an ice axe and crampons, and the skills to use them are needed when conditions demand. Allow for short daylight and slower progress. Avoid The Cobbler's summit-tower scramble in wet, windy or icy conditions.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Beinn Narnain?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Beinn Narnain through the maps

Are there other walkers around Beinn Narnain?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Beinn Narnain search or of course create your own walk for Beinn Narnain

Can I organise a walk to Beinn Narnain?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Beinn Narnain?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Beinn Narnain location map

Grid reference: NN271066

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Nearby Hills

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Ben Vorlich

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 Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond

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