Location:
Near Arrochar
Map: US Landranger 56 [GR 218 080]
Distance: 4km (2.5 miles)
Time: 3 hours
Terrain: Mountain paths This superb peak
stands above Loch Restil and the Rest and Be Thankful, the pass that
divides the glaciated troughs of Glen Croe and Glen Kinglas. It's an
impressive mountain when viewed from both directions,
with a well-defined north-east ridge, which is the line of the
route described here. The best starting point is the lay-by on the west
side of the A83, just beyond Loch Restil, where the road starts to
descend to Glen Kinglas. Cross over the burn flowing from the loch and
follow a path. It is a little ill-defined at first, but it aims for and
eventually gains the north-east ridge. Once there, the path is quite
obvious and it gains height steadily with some short scrambly sections.
The crest is surprisingly narrow and rocky — nothing dramatically
exposed such as the Aonach Eagach, but with a distinct mountaineering
feel to it.
It is also very open to the elements and not a good choice if the wind
is howling and the rain lashing, unless that’s just what you’re looling
for.
Keep your eyes open for the large granite boulders sitting on the ridge
here and there. Like all the mountains in this area, Beinn an Lochain
is made from mica schist and these boulders are erratics deposited by a
passing glacier. Exactly where they have come from is unclear — Ben
Cruachan to the north is granite, as is Glen Lednock near Connie to the
north-east.
The route skirts the first Line of cliffs via a diagonal left to a tight
path above. Care should be taken here, especially during the descent if
the ground is wet or snow-covered, because the cliffs lie directly
below.
The path then regains the ridge forming the south wall of the large
north corrie.
Some rock climbing has been done here, but it is best known for the
winter snow and ice climbs on its gullies and buttresses.
Avoid the final steep section of the ridge on the left and ascend to the
top of the ridge and the cairn a short distance beyond. The view from
the summit area is particularly good. To the south lie Ben Donich and
The
Brack with Loch Goil, Loch Long and the Clyde beyond. More to the east
lie Ben Ime and The Cobbler’s spiky summit. To the north-east Ben
More, Stob Binnein and the Crianlarich hills can be seen. To the
north-west Binnein an Fhidhleir on the north side of Glen Kinglas
is dominant with Ben Lui and Ben Cruachan in the far distance.
From the summit, a couple of descents are possible. You can either
return by the line of ascent, or you can follow the easy summit ridge
south to the south top and then weave your way east between the small
crags down to the B828 just above the Rest and Be Thankful. The latter
makes for a pleasant round, although a short section of the very busy
A83 has to be followed alongside Loch Restil back to the lay-by.
