Beinn a' Chleibh

Ben Lui is one of the finest mountains in the southern highlands. Its height and splendid shape make it stand out above its neighbouring hills, and in winter and spring when snow lies in the north-east corrie, the mountain has a very alpine character. Its much smaller western neighbour, Beinn a'Chleibh, is hidden in views from the east, but from the west it is seen to rise as a rounded hill above the forest in Glen Lochy. The shortest ascent of Ben Lui, which can easily be combined with Beinn a'Chleibh, starts in Glen Lochy at a carpark near the foot of the Eas Daimh. Cross the River Lochy and follow a path up the Eas Daimh for ½ kilometre, then south up to the edge of the forest. Climb east to reach Ben Lui's north-west ridge and climb it to the summit.

To continue the traverse to Beinn a'Chleibh, descend the south-west ridge of Ben Lui and climb the north-east ridge of Beinn a'Chleibh. Return to the col and descend north into Fionn Choirein.

The classic ascent of Ben Lui is from the east up the Cononish Glen. This is much longer than the way just described, but it does give a far more impressive route which goes up into Coire Gaothach and finishes steeply up its north bounding ridge.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)