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The summit cairn of Beinn a' Chleibh, built of flat stones on pale slabs of rock, with ranks of hills beyond under a grey sky.
Crianlarich and Tyndrum

Beinn a' Chleibh

A Munro of 916 metres, number 279 of the 282.

On the hill todayI was up today
The hill

Beinn a' Chleibh is Ben Lui's neighbour on the Glen Lochy side, a little under two kilometres to the south-west of the bigger hill.

It stands on the boundary between Argyll and Bute and Stirling, and the National Park Authority counts it among the 21 Munros in the Park.

Only three Munros are lower, so it sits right at the foot of the list of 282. Forestry and Land Scotland, which looks after the forest of Glen Lochy below, says the pair are popular, and that Ben Lui's high corries can hold snow late into the spring.

The start
Forestry and Land Scotland's Glen Lochy car park, on the south side of the A85 between Tyndrum and Dalmally.
Stalking
Mountaineering Scotland says the first three weeks of October are the busiest of the stag stalking season. Follow signs and any reasonable advice from land managers.
Under snow
No avalanche forecast covers this hill, but that does not mean there is no risk under snow. The avalanche service's forecasts begin on 17 December 2026.
Summit
Grid reference NN 250 256
Car park
Glen Lochy, run by Forestry and Land Scotland. In 2026 it costs £3 for all day or £1 for up to an hour, by card or RingGo, and is free with a Blue Badge. There is no height barrier.
Getting in and out
The entrance comes off a busy, fast A road. Forestry and Land Scotland asks you to park considerately and safely, in the bottom parking area furthest from the entrance.
Toilets and food
The nearest toilets and places to eat are in Dalmally and Tyndrum.
On the hill today
−1° to 4°Cloudy on the summit, 916 m. Feels like −4° in the wind.

North wind to 6 mph, gusting 13
Dry, or nearly
Light from 7.54am to 6.14pm, ten hours

Sun 18Clear−1° to 4° on top · 8 mph, gusts 15
Mon 19Drizzle−4° to 6° on top · 5 mph, gusts 11
Tue 20Drizzle2° to 5° on top · 9 mph, gusts 18

A weather model's forecast for the height of the summit, not a report from the hill. Read the mountain forecast the evening before: West Highlands forecast, Beinn a' Chleibh, Stirling, Southwest Highlands mountain forecast.

October2026

MTWTFSS

Going another day?

Choose the day you mean to climb.Near or far: the light you will have, and what the summit is likely to be doing.

Photographs by John, Amelia Maclaren and Al P (Aloha), via Google

This is a tough route that involves a river crossing and lots of boggy paths.Forestry and Land Scotland, of the way up from its Glen Lochy car park
Before you go

Carry

  • A paper map and a compass, and the skill to use them
  • Waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves
  • Food and drink
  • A head torch, a whistle and a first aid kit
  • A survival bag
  • Boots with a good grip

Under snow and ice this is a different day, with short light and the risk of avalanche. It needs an ice axe, crampons, winter boots and the skill to use them.

If something goes wrong

  • Dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue
  • Give a six-figure grid reference: the summit is NN 250 256
  • Say how many are hurt, how many are with you, and your number
  • Register to text 999 before the day: text the word register to 999

The summit is optional. Turning back is the right decision whenever the cloud, the wind or the light say so.

How to call for help in the hills · Safety and skills for the hills · ThinkWINTER

From our readers

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From the magazine
Read more elsewhere

For the route itself, take the map and read these.

Sleep and eat at its foot

Next along: Ben Lui, Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig, Beinn Bhuidhe. Checked on 10 October 2026. The facts on this page are Forestry and Land Scotland's and Mountaineering Scotland's; the forecasts are the Mountain Weather Information Service's and the Met Office's. Height and position from The Database of British and Irish Hills, v18.3, adapted, CC BY 4.0. This page is not a route description and does not replace a map.