Beinn an Lochain Hike

The 2,956ft / 901m Beinn an Lochain mountain is at the Rest and Be Thankful, 50 miles northwest of Glasgow, 8 miles west of Tarbet at Loch Lomond, on the A83 Road up to Arrochar and Inveraray. Regular Buses run between Glasgow and Inveraray stopping at the Rest and be Thankful.

This used to be a Munro over 3,000ft, but has since had its height dropped by more accurate measurements. The Rest and be Thankful is about 800ft above sea level, so this hike is about 2,100ft from the car parks. There are two Real Steep Sections with a little bit of Danger, but fairly safe in Summer when no Ice. Spikes and Ice Axe may be needed from October to April.

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The Image top is from the A83 Road towards Beinn an Lochain Mountain. The Rest and Be Thankful Viewing Area with a Car Park and Snack Bar is at the bottom of the Mountain. This is the part of the Road where there are land slips, so Traffic Lights are here much of the time. Large Image with paths.

The second image is of the Car Park under 1 mile round from the Rest and Be Thankful, at the start of the Trail up Beinn an Lochain from the north. This is real steep in places, so best go up this way, I avoided coming back down this way.

You leave the Car Park, cross a narrow Burn by Stepping Stones, then within 200 yards, you are heading up the steep Rocky Path.

The First Steep Section is a good warm up for further up.

The Second Steep Section has a bit of a Dangerous Cross Path where there can be Ice from about October to April, right above a high drop, certainly tests your nerve if you are not used to dangerous Mountains. Spikes and an Axe will be needed in Winter. Large Image.

The Top Steep Section has a good Trail up just left of the Ridge, fairly safe, again though tests your nerve if not used to real steep hikes with high drops. Large Image.

I got up the two Steepest Sections with Hiking Poles, just a few times had to throw them up and use my hands to pull up. Large Image back down from the top of the final steep section.

Once up the Top Section, you realize you have Twin Summits, but easy and safe to hike between them with great views all around. Large Image west to Inveraray.

Large Image east to the Rest and be Thankful and Arrochar Mountains with heights.

Back Down is a lot easier down the South Side, then once past the rocks, swing down onto the East Side then make your way steadily down the East Side back to the Rest and be Thankful.

Back along the East Side has no Trail, but fairly good going, just a few little Gorges to cross.

Don't go down to fast, as the lower part is soggy. Once back close to the Rest and be Thankful, take the shortest route down through the Soggy Lower Section to the Road a few hundred yards along from the Rest and be Thankful.

It is an easy walk from the Rest and be Thankful down to the north side Car Park, you can walk on the Loch Side of the Road Barrier much of the way.

This is a cracking Hike if you want to try Real Steep Sections with a little bit of Danger, lets you know if you would fancy trying some of the more Dangerous Ridges at Glencoe and Fort William.

This is about as steep and dangerous as I like it to get, I avoid anything with real danger, just like a good hike with views.

Make sure and take an Ordnance Survey Map and Compass on these Hikes, and know how to use them, as in Cloud, these Mountains can be deadly. In Winter, make sure you have Crampons and an Ice Axe, and know how to use them.

Some people are now trying out OS Phone Apps that can help.