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Beinn Narnain, Beinn Ime & The Cobbler from Loch Long

Beinn Narnain, Beinn Ime & The Cobbler from Loch Long

Start/Finish

Pay and Display (£1 per day in 2015) at the head of Loch Long on the A83 Tarbert to Inverary road. From Tarbert, go over the pass to Arrochar and follow the A83 around the head of Loch Long. Park in the second car park opposite the turning for Succoth. There are no toilets in this car park.

Distance/Time

15 km     About 7 – 8 hours.

Peaks

Beinn Narnain, 926 m, NN 271 066.

Beinn Ime, 1011 m, NN 255084.

The Cobbler, 884 m, NN 259 058. OS Sheet 56.

Introduction

This is one of the finest walks in the Southern Highlands but it does involve a lot of ascent over three very individual peaks. The Cobbler is visited by many but few actually reach its highest point as the last few metres involve climbing a tower. It is not technically difficult but there is a very exposed sloping ledge which puts many off and should not be attempted in wet, windy or icy conditions. Views are superb and include Ben Lomond and Ben Lui. The paths can be wet and boggy in places.

Route

(1) Almost opposite the car park entrance, an obvious path slants off up the hillside into the trees. It is signed for Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler. Almost immediately, look for a minor path on the right going directly uphill. This is the direct route to Beinn Narnain. Follow it up. It crosses a track then continues on the same line with the going becoming increasingly rocky. There are no real difficulties but hands may have to be used at times. The minor top of Cruach nam Miseag can be climbed or traversed on its W side by a good path. Beyond here there is a shallow dip then the ridge becomes much more rocky but the path guides one up through the steep crags. Rock towers loom above. The most prominent one is known as the Spearhead. The path picks its way up carefully and goes to the right of The Spearhead via a short rocky gully to emerge on the summit plateau. There is a cairn on the top of the Spearhead, one a little further on to the plateau before one reaches the trig point and shelter cairn which marks the summit of Beinn Narnain, 926 m.

(2) Walk W to the edge of the plateau then descend (path) WNW down moderately steep and stony slopes to reach the wide Bealach a' Mhaim. Go through the gate in the fence then follow the path, N, up the S ridge of Beinn Ime. There is a path but it can be wet and boggy lower down and it may be necessary to weave around. It is a long way up, about 400 m, from the bealach. The slopes are moderately steep but mainly grassy. It becomes more rocky higher but not as much as on Beinn Narnain. The path avoids all difficulties. A top is traversed just before the summit which is a large shelter cairn on an outcrop. This is Beinn Ime, 1011 m.

(3) Retrace to the Bealach a' Mhaim then traverse across, on a very boggy path, the W flank of Beinn Narnain to reach the obvious main path up The Cobbler. This has many steps! Higher up the angle eases. It is easy to detour left to visit the N Top. From below, this looks like the hardest top with its overhanging “claw” but it is the easiest of The Cobbler's three tops. A path leads up and another comes down to the bealach between the N and Central tops. Some of this is slabby so care is needed when wet. The N Top summit has a cairn which is easily reached but be carefulnear any edges as there are long drops. From the bealach, ascend to the summit plateau without difficulty. The actual summit is not much higher and is the top of an obvious rock tower with drops on all sides. The tower is about 5 m high. It has two “windows”. The route to the top goes through the first window which can be reached by clambering over a few boulders. On the other side of this window is a sloping ledge going left but directly ahead is a long sheer drop! Go up the ledge then double back to the highest point on The Cobbler, 884 m.

(4) Retrace down the tower to safe ground. There are two ways back. Either return to the bealach below the N Top where there is a large cairn. A path goes down here but it is steep and rocky in places and care is needed when wet. The path eventually joins the main path. Alternatively, retrace down the stepped ascent path and follow the main path back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 25th May, 2015, but it was considered too windy to climb the final tower on The Cobbler. All 3 hills had been climbed before by various routes.

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