The Arrochar Alps are the closest thing to proper mountain scenery you can get from Glasgow, and Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain are the two highest peaks in the range. Beinn Ime, at 1,011m, is the only peak in the Arrochar Alps to break the 1,000m mark, while Beinn Narnain at 926m delivers some of the best scrambling on any Munro in the Southern Highlands. Together they make for a seriously rewarding — and seriously demanding — day out.
These were Munros 5 and 6 for us and marked the first time we’d really pushed ourselves with a big ascent — 1,265m of climbing across the two peaks. It was also one of the longest days we’d had in the mountains at that point, clocking in at nearly 8 and a half hours total. The route shares its start with The Cobbler, so you get those infamous concrete zigzags as a warm-up whether you like it or not.
Route Overview
- Beinn Ime — Munro — Butter Mountain — 1,011m
- Beinn Narnain — Munro — Hill of Notches — 926m
- Total distance: 21.2km
- Total ascent: 1,265m
- Moving time: ~6 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous — long distance, significant ascent, light scrambling on Narnain
| Munro Name | Pronunciation | Translation | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beinn Ime | Ben Ee-muh | Butter Mountain | 1,011m |
| Beinn Narnain | Ben Nar-nain | Hill of Notches | 926m |
The route starts from Succoth car park near Arrochar, climbs the famous zigzags through the forest, then splits right for Beinn Narnain before continuing to Beinn Ime via the bealach. The descent returns through the glen back to Succoth.
Getting There and Parking
The hike starts from Succoth car park, well signposted off the A83 near Arrochar. This is the same car park used for The Cobbler, so it fills quickly on good-weather days — we arrived at 7:30am and it was already busy. Free parking with decent space, but plan for an early start on summer weekends.
From Glasgow, Succoth is about an hour’s drive via the A82 and A83 through the Rest and Be Thankful. From Edinburgh, allow around 90 minutes. Arrochar has shops and accommodation if you’re making a weekend of it.
The Zigzags — Succoth to the Treeline
Every hike from Succoth starts with the concrete zigzags, and they are exactly as relentless as their reputation suggests. The path winds up through the forest on a series of switchbacks that seem to go on forever. Your legs will be burning before you’ve even cleared the treeline, and on a warm day the sheltered forest holds the heat.
These are the same zigzags you’d take for The Cobbler, so expect company. On our July day, the heat made this the most uncomfortable section of the entire route. Just keep going — once you’re above the trees, the views open up and you remember why you’re here.
Beinn Narnain — The Scramble
Above the treeline, the path reaches a junction where you head right to tackle Beinn Narnain first. The terrain changes from forest track to rocky mountainside, climbing steadily through increasingly steep ground.
The final section to the summit involves some light scrambling over rocky steps. On dry rock this is genuinely enjoyable — proper hands-on scrambling that adds variety to the day. In wet conditions, the same rocks would be significantly more challenging, so pick your weather if you can.
The summit of Beinn Narnain is relatively compact with a small cairn. The views across to The Cobbler are fantastic from here — you’re looking straight across at that famous rocky profile from a different angle than most people see it. Down below, Loch Long stretches towards the Clyde, and to the east Ben Vane rises above Loch Sloy.
We stopped at the top for a quick bite before pushing on towards Beinn Ime.
The Bealach and Beinn Ime
From Beinn Narnain, you descend the north-west ridge to the bealach between the two peaks. You lose a fair bit of height here, which means — you guessed it — more climbing on the other side.
The ascent up Beinn Ime is more gradual than Narnain. The path takes you across grassy slopes that steepen as you approach the summit plateau. It’s a broader, more rounded mountain than its neighbour and the summit can be tricky to pinpoint in poor visibility.
On our day, we had clear skies and the views from the top were exceptional. Being the highest point in the Arrochar Alps, you get a proper 360-degree panorama — Ben Lomond to the east, Loch Fyne to the west, and The Cobbler looking surprisingly small below you. To the north, you can pick out Ben More and Stob Binnein above Crianlarich, and Ben Vane sits close by to the north-east.
The Descent
We retraced our steps back to the bealach and then followed the path down through the glen back towards Succoth. The descent is long and our legs were absolutely cooked by the time we got back to the car park. The total distance of over 21km meant this was more of an endurance test than we’d anticipated — don’t underestimate the walk-out through the glen.
When to Climb Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain
Summer (May–September) gives the longest days and driest rock for the Narnain scramble. The zigzags can be hot and sweaty, but the summit views make up for it. The car park fills early on good-weather weekends.
Autumn (October–November) is excellent — fewer people, golden light, and the Arrochar Alps look their best. The scramble on Narnain needs dry conditions, so check forecasts.
Winter (December–March) makes Beinn Narnain’s rocky sections significantly more serious. Snow and ice on the scramble require winter skills, crampons, and an ice axe. Beinn Ime’s grassy slopes are less technical but the broad summit can be disorienting in whiteout.
Spring (March–April) can be mixed — lingering snow on the higher ground and boggy conditions on the approach. A good spring day in the Arrochar Alps is hard to beat though.
Combine With
Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain are usually enough for one day given the 21km distance. Some strong walkers add The Cobbler (not a Munro but a Corbett and one of Scotland’s most iconic peaks), though that makes for a very long day.
Ben Vane is accessible from the Loch Sloy dam road and makes a good standalone day if you’re staying in the area. Ben Lomond is about 30 minutes’ drive along Loch Lomond.
Tips for This Route
- The zigzags are the worst part. Get them out of the way and the rest of the day improves dramatically. Don’t be discouraged by how much they take out of your legs.
- Do Narnain first. The scramble is better tackled with fresh legs and energy. Beinn Ime’s grassy ascent is more forgiving when you’re tired.
- The distance catches people out. 21km is a long day — carry plenty of food and water. The walk-out through the glen can feel endless.
- Dry rock makes the Narnain scramble. In the wet, those rocky steps become slippery and considerably more nerve-wracking. Pick your weather.
- Arrive early for parking. The Succoth car park is shared with Cobbler walkers and fills fast. By 9am on a summer Saturday, you’ll be struggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard are Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain? The combination of distance (21km), ascent (1,265m), and the scrambling on Narnain makes this one of the harder double-baggers in the Southern Highlands. It’s a proper full-day commitment. Allow 7–9 hours.
Is there scrambling on Beinn Narnain? Yes — the final section to the summit involves light scrambling over rocky steps. It’s Grade 1 at most and manageable for most walkers in dry conditions, but it does require use of hands and a head for heights. In wet weather, the rocks become considerably more challenging.
Where do you park for Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain? Succoth car park near Arrochar (G83 7AX), off the A83. Free parking, shared with The Cobbler walkers. Arrive early on good-weather weekends.
Can you combine these with The Cobbler? Technically yes, but it makes for a very long day — potentially 25km+ with over 1,500m of ascent. Most people do The Cobbler separately.
Are Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain suitable for dogs? The zigzags and grassy slopes are fine for dogs. The rocky scramble on Beinn Narnain is the issue — most dogs can be helped over the rocky steps, but it depends on the dog’s size and agility. We’d recommend assessing the scramble yourself before committing with a dog.
