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The Three Beinns From Brodick

By Ian Tupman   

on December 6, 2018    5/5 (1)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Isle of Arran, Scotland

The Three Beinns From Brodick

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A classic route on the Isle of Arran which can be done in either direction but the route as described probably has better views. It includes a Corbett and two slightly lower summits with some excellent ridge walking and easy scrambling.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

19.86 km

Ascent

1077 m

Time

5-6 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Brodick ferry terminal

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

Some boggy ground but otherwise relatively straightforward.

Weather Forecast:

MetOffice Goatfell forecast  or MWIS West Highlands forecast

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

The Three Beinns From Brodick Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

The Three Beinns From Brodick

One of the classics on Arran, this route includes  one of the four Corbetts on the island along with some wonderful ridge walking and easy scrambling.

Route Description

The Three Beinns From Brodick
The start of the Glen Rosa track

If arriving by ferry with a connecting bus service, the first section to the start of the Glen Rosa track can be done by bus. Take the 324 bus and ask to be dropped at the end of the String Road. Walk up the road for 100 metres and turn onto the Glen Rosa track on the right. Alternatively, walk along the promenade and turn right at the second Co-Op store. Follow the signs for Fisherman’s Walk over the duckboards and after crossing the golf course, turn left up to the main road. Turn right and then left at the String Road junction.

If using a car, drive down the Glen Rosa track and park at the camp site. If there is no space then drive further and park before the gate. Take care not to block gates or driveways.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Camp site parking area

Continue past several cottages and the campsite on the right. Pass through a gate and Glen Rosa begins to open up before you. Continue along the broad track and cross the wooden footbridge over Garbh Allt. Walk round to the right and after thirty metres, take the left hand path.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Take the left hand path

The path rises gently up the right hand side of Garbh Allt and enters a fenced area via a gate. Continue climbing and pass through a second gate.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Aim for the bottom of the slope on the horizon

Immediately after the gate, take the faint path to the right. (The wider path on the left is our return route to this point) This area can be boggy so choose the driest route to reach the bottom of the slope as shown above.

We now begin the ascent of the first ‘beinn’, Beinn a’Cliabhain. Climb steadily on the good path and pass the cairn on Croc Breac. Continue over slightly flatter ground before climbing again as the ridge begins to narrow.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Beinn a’Chliabhain from Croc Breac

Some easy scrambling over and through the granite boulders will bring you to the summit of Beinn a’Cliabhain at 653m.
From the summit either drop down to the easy path on the left or continue along the ridge. Whichever way you choose it will bring you down to the lowest point on the saddle between Coire Daingean and Ealta Choire.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
The saddle between Coire Daingean and Ealta Choire.

Continue over the stepped granite slabs keeping as high as possible. Ignore the path which drops steeply down to the right and continue to climb on an obvious path which eventually splits. Take the left hand path and pass through the natural stone arch.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Walk through the arch (ignoring the dog)

The path now climbs more steeply until it reaches a ridgeline and the path from A’Chir joins from the right. Turn left and continue to climb. There are some pitched sections of path and some sections where it is necessary to squeeze between large granite blocks but the path is generally good and delivers you to the flat top of Beinn Tarsuinn. Continue around the top of the corrie on the left to reach the summit at 826m. On a clear day the views in all directions are spectacular.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Looking west over Glen Iorsa
The Three Beinns From Brodick
The superb ridge between Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn Nuis

From the summit head south-west on the good path along the broad ridge with views to the left and right. Give the grumpy Old Man of Tarsuinn a smile as you pass him on the left.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
The Old Man of Tarsuinn

Continue south-west and then turn south for the gentle climb to the summit of our third ‘beinn’, Beinn Nuis at 792m. Looking back, there are superb views along to Beinn Tarsuinn and around to Beinn a’Chliabhain as well as across to Goatfell, A’Chir and Cir Mhor.
Head south-east from the summit and drop down steeply on the pitched path. Continue the descent to reach the flat, boggy ground at the mouth of Coire a’Bhradain. Be aware of drainage ditches which cross the path, especially when the ground is snow-covered!
Aim for the large gate in the fencing and either pass through the gate or turn right and walk around the outside of the enclosure and climb over the ladder stile. Either way, you then need to cross the stream which can be difficult when in spate. The safest place to cross is just before it runs under the deer fence.

The Three Beinns From Brodick
Cross the stream here
The Three Beinns From Brodick
Once over the stream, climb the far bank and pass through this gate

If returning to Brodick then turn left onto the B880 String Road and then right onto the A841. When you reach the school on the right, cross the road and take the track opposite. Cross the golf course and if the tide is out, continue on Fisherman’s Walk over the boardwalk to rejoin the A841 on Brodick seafront. If the tide is in then stay on the main road at the school and walk into Brodick.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A classic route on the Isle of Arran which can be done in either direction but the route as described probably has better views. It includes a Corbett and two slightly lower summits with some excellent ridge walking and easy scrambling.

This walk includes the Corbett of Beinn Tarsuinn

Route Start Location: Brodick ferry terminal

Distance
Ascent
Time
19.86 km 1077 m 5-6 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

The usual tourist facilities are to be found in Brodick but none en route.

Hazards

Some boggy ground but otherwise relatively straightforward.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : n/a

Limited parking at the camp site and further along the track in Glen Rosa

Public Transport:

Ferries to the Isle of Arran are operated all year (subject to weather) by Calmac

The bus timetable on Arran (Mar 2018) revolves around the ferries and if making a day visit from the mainland, be sure not to miss the last boat!

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

MetOffice Goatfell forecast  or MWIS West Highlands forecast

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Ian Tupman

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