Pay and display car park at Succoth, Arrochar (G83 7AX). Parking wardens patrol regularly — pay for enough time, especially on bank holidays.
About an hour’s drive from Glasgow on a sunny May Bank Holiday — the roads were clear and the hills were calling. We paid for 7 hours at the car park, giving us comfortable time to get up, have lunch at the summit, and make it back without any pressure.
All the snow had cleared from the Arrochar Alps, so we packed cooler layers and lighter footwear than we’d normally carry. The humidity was high — that peculiar combination of sticky warmth and biting wind that Scotland occasionally throws at you, where you’re simultaneously too hot and too cold.
Route Overview
- Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) — Corbett — The Cobbler — 884m
- Total distance: 13.19km
- Total ascent: 964m
- Moving time: 4:12:31
- Elapsed time: 5:33:44
- Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous (with optional scramble)
Getting There
From Glasgow, Arrochar is roughly an hour up the A82 and A83. The pay and display car park at Succoth sits right at the trailhead. A word of warning: parking wardens patrol here regularly, and on our return we counted a number of tickets on windshields — on a bank holiday, they’re definitely out. Pay for enough time and park in a proper bay.
The Ascent — ESE Face
We took the route the opposite way from what most sites recommend. At the fork, we went left and headed directly up the east-south-east face of the hill rather than taking the back path to the bealach. This meant the scramble came on the way up — a more rewarding approach if you enjoy something technical.
The paths in the Arrochar Alps have been significantly improved since our last visit. The zigzag paths up the lower slopes used to be rough and awkward; now they’re well-maintained and the walk out moves quickly.
The ESE face scramble is genuinely enjoyable — a little technical in places, requiring hands and careful foot and leg placement to get up and over some sections. It’s not exposed enough to feel intimidating, but it keeps you engaged throughout. If you’re comfortable on rocky terrain, this is the way to go up.
Note for dog owners: the scramble section can be managed with dogs, but it’s not easy unless you’re really comfortable helping them over the rocky sections. We did see a few people manage it, but for bigger dogs, the back path to the bealach is a far better option.
The North Peak and Arthur’s Seat
From the ESE face, the route takes you to the north peak of Ben Arthur before descending slightly to Arthur’s Seat — the true summit, recognisable by its dramatic rocky formation.
The famous threading of the needle is required to reach the top of Arthur’s Seat: a short squeeze through a gap in the rock that leads up onto the exposed summit platform. It’s a little unnerving given the drops on either side, but manageable if you’re comfortable with exposure. I’d class it as a no-fall zone — take it steady and you’ll be fine.
The views from the ridges just below the summit are exceptional. The peaks look rugged and dramatic in good light, and the ridge itself would make a fantastic wild camping spot — albeit an exposed one.
The Descent
The descent takes you off the peak and back to the bealach between the three Arrochar Alps, then down through the glen between Ben Arthur and Beinn Narnain. It’s a straightforward and well-defined path — you’re unlikely to lose your way given how many people frequent these hills.
Speaking of which — on the descent we passed mountain rescue heading up with climbing ropes, making for the rocky technical climbs on the summits south of Arthur’s Seat. The Arrochar Alps see a lot of technical climbing as well as hillwalking.
Adding the Other Peaks
For those looking for a bigger day, the other two Arrochar Alps — Beinn Narnain and A’ Chrois — can be tackled in the same outing. If you’re relatively fit, bagging all three is definitely achievable. We bumped into a group on the hill, some of them from Donna’s home county in Northern Ireland, who were weighing up whether to go for all three. We’ve done the full round before — see our Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain hike report if you’re considering it.
Final Thoughts
A fantastic day out — and a relatively safe one, given the sheer number of people who use these hills. The well-defined paths mean you’re not likely to get lost, and there’s a real sense of community on a busy bank holiday. Just pay your parking before you set off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) a Munro? No — Ben Arthur stands at 884m, just below the 914m Munro threshold, so it’s classified as a Corbett. This doesn’t diminish it in any way; it’s one of the most distinctive and rewarding summits in Scotland, arguably more interesting than many Munros thanks to the scramble and threading of the needle.
How hard is The Cobbler? Moderate to strenuous. The lower paths are well-maintained and straightforward, but the ESE face scramble and the threading of the needle at Arthur’s Seat require use of hands and comfort with exposure. The threading of the needle in particular has significant drops on either side — it’s not a place to slip. In good conditions it’s manageable for experienced hillwalkers; in wet conditions, treat it with more respect.
How long does The Cobbler take? Our moving time was 4:12 over 13.19km with 964m of ascent, with a total elapsed time of 5:33 including a summit lunch. Most walkers should allow 5–7 hours depending on pace and conditions.
Where do you park for The Cobbler? The pay and display car park at Succoth, Arrochar (postcode G83 7AX), sits right at the trailhead off the A83. Parking wardens patrol regularly — particularly on bank holidays — so pay for enough time and park in a marked bay.
Can you do The Cobbler with a dog? Yes, with caveats. The lower paths are fine for dogs of all sizes. The ESE face scramble can be managed with smaller, agile dogs if you’re comfortable helping them over the rocky sections — we did see people doing it. For larger dogs, the back path to the bealach is a much safer option. The threading of the needle at the summit is not suitable for dogs.
What is the threading of the needle? A narrow gap in the rock formation at the summit of Arthur’s Seat (the true top of The Cobbler) that must be squeezed through to reach the exposed summit platform. It requires a short scramble through the gap and onto the rocky top. The exposure on either side makes it feel committing — most people find it manageable in dry conditions, but those with a fear of heights may prefer to stop at the north peak instead.
Can you combine The Cobbler with Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime? Yes, though it makes for a very long day — expect 25km+ and over 1,500m of ascent if you tackle all three. Most people do The Cobbler as a standalone day. If you’re up for the full Arrochar Alps round, see our Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain hike report.
