Beinn Ime – An Epic Munro: The Ultimate Walking Guide (2024)

Beinn Ime is the highest mountain in the Arrochar Alps in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. There are many route options for bagging this Munro in isolation. But, given the Arrochar Alps is a compact group of mountains, many walkers combine bagging Beinn Ime with another Munro or mountain. In this guide, we’re going to tell you about all of the different routes for climbing Beinn Ime, whether it’s a solo Munro bagging mission or a multi-mountain adventure.

About Beinn Ime

At 1,011 metres above sea level, Beinn Ime (AKA Ben Ime) is the highest peak in the Arrochar Alps. Despite being the highest summit in the Arrochar Alps, it’s not the most popular mountain to walk to in the area. That honour goes to the nearby Ben Arthur (The Cobbler), which isn’t even a Munro (it’s a Corbett)! Other mountains in the Arrochar Alps, which are also popular to summit, include the two Munros – Beinn Narnain and Ben Vane.

As mentioned, given the close proximity of the mountains that form the Arrochar Alps, many walkers climb multiple mountains during a single walk. Personally, Beck and I climbed Ben Arthur in 2022. During a return trip to the Arrochar Alps, we wanted to summit Beinn Ime. With the option of also summiting another mountain – Beinn Narnain, en route to Beinn Ime, we jumped at the opportunity. Indeed, many walkers choose to combine walking Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain (AKA the Ben Ime and Ben Narnain Walk).

Of course, if you’ve landed on this page, you might be solely interested in just climbing Beinn Ime. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In the Beinn Ime Routes section, we’ll detail all of the different options for climbing this stunning Munro.

FYI – in Scottish Gaelic, Beinn Ìme means ‘buttery mountain’.

Where Is Beinn Ime?

This mountain is located in the southern highlands of Scotland, specifically in the Arrochar Alps. To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the area.

Beinn Ime Routes

As mentioned, there are various routes for reaching Beinn Ime in isolation as well as routes to reach multiple mountains, including Beinn Ime. To keep things simple, we’ve made two lists – the first detailing route options for reaching Beinn Ime and no other mountains. The second list shows multi-mountain route options, including Beinn Ime.

Beinn Ime routes:

• Beinn Ime From Succoth (Out and Back): by far, this is the most popular and well-known route option for summiting Beinn Ime in isolation. So, this is the option we’ll discuss in further detail in this guide.
• Beinn Ime From Rest and Be Thankful: this is a lesser-known option on a less-defined trail. So, we don’t recommend this option.
• Beinn Ime From Butterbridge: similarly, this is a less frequented option on a more challenging route to navigate. So, we don’t recommend this route either.

Beinn Ime plus other mountain routes:

• Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain: this is one of the most popular routes which involve ascending Beinn Ime. As mentioned, this is the walk that Beck and I did. So, we’ll also discuss this option in more detail in this guide.
• Beinn Ime and the Cobbler (Ben Arthur): it’s simple to climb both peaks during the same walk.
• Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain and Ben Arthur: similarly, it’s simple to summit all peaks during a single walk, but will you have the legs to do so?
• Beinn Ime, Ben Arthur and Ben Vane: this is the hardest route of them all, as the route between Beinn Ime and Ben Vane is very rough, steep and difficult to navigate.
• Beinn Ime and Beinn Luibhean: a lesser-known option is to also climb Beinn Luibhean after reaching Beinn Ime.

Stats For Beinn Ime

Because this guide is primarily about Beinn Ime, we’re going to show you the trail specs, maps and details about the most popular route option for bagging Beinn Ime in isolation. But, as mentioned, we personally didn’t climb this mountain in isolation – we did the popular Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain route. So, in the walk description, we’ll tell you about our experience sumitting Beinn Ime, which involved also climbing Beinn Narnain.

Below, you’ll find trail specs for the Beinn Ime route from Succoth. Certainly, this is the best route option for climbing this mountain on its own.

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 15.1km (9.4 miles)
• Time: 6–7 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 1,015m
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Succoth

Beinn Ime Map (GPS and OS)

Below, you’ll find GPS and OS maps for the Beinn Ime return walk from Succoth.

• GPS-Guided Map with GPX File to download: AllTrails
• Ordnance Survey Map to buy: The Trossachs, Callander, Aberfoyle & Lochearnhead, Balquhidder & Strathyre

Beinn Ime Difficulty, Terrain and Profile

The out and back walk to Beinn Ime from Succoth is along a well-defined rocky path. Even when the trail becomes steeper and rockier near the summit, the walk is still easy to navigate. Although, the walk involves 1,015 metres of accumulated elevation gain. So, it’s quite physically demanding.

Our Experience Climbing Beinn Ime

As you’re now well aware, we walked to Beinn Ime via Beinn Narnain. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather conditions during our walk. But, that’s how the cookie crumbles!

Below, our intention isn’t to describe the trail in a step-by-step format. After all, you can always use a map for specific trail instructions. Instead, we’ll provide a little insight into our experience doing the Beinn Ime and Narnain Walk, showing you some photos of the horrid weather conditions you might face. After all, it’s Scotland!!

To that end, here’s a map of the route we did and will talk about below.

Where to Start: Succoth

You’ll start the Beinn Ime and Beinn Narnain Walk on the shores of Loch Long in Succoth. There isn’t a Beinn Ime car park as such. Rather, there are two car parks in Succoth where you can start the walk from. The most convenient option is Succoth Car Park, as it’s located opposite the trailhead. Otherwise, it’s possible to park at the Loch Long Car Park, which is around a 650-metre walk to the trailhead.

Please be aware that both car parks are privately owned and charge extortionate rates. You’ll pay £1/hour at Succoth Car Park, whilst you’ll pay £1.30/hour at the Loch Long Car Park.

After departing either car park, you’ll soon join a steep trail heading towards Beinn Narnain. You’ll walk through dense woodland, climbing up a steep and rocky trail. You’ll soon enjoy views of Long Loch as you gain more elevation. After reaching some false summits, you’ll eventually reach steeper and rockier terrain as you near the true summit.

Beinn Narnain: The First Munro

At the summit of Beinn Narnain, you’ll find a stone-built trig point. On a clear day, you’ll enjoy great views of Ben Arthur, Beinn Ime, Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde. Unfortunately, Beck and I experienced a complete whiteout at the peak of Beinn Narnain. So, we didn’t get to enjoy any of the stellar views we’d heard about. As they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it. And, on this occasion, we were in it, but didn’t win it!

Read more: Beinn Narnain – The Ultimate Munro Bagging Guide

Beinn Ime: The Second Munro

From the summit of Beinn Narnain, you’ll then descend the opposite side of the mountain. By doing so, you’ll reach the relatively gentle southern slopes of Beinn Ime. Beck and I were grateful that some of the mist began to clear as we reached the bealach, called Bealach a’ Mhaim. But, we soon re-entered the mist as we began to climb Beinn Ime. Unfortunately, the mist didn’t budge during our ascent. So, we would endure another whiteout at this summit.

After scoffing down some lunch, we retraced our steps to Bealach a’ Mhaim. As we descended the southern slopes of the mountain, the mist covering Beinn Narnain and Ben Arthur began to finally shift. We then joined the outbound trail, which approaches and passes Ben Arthur.

Passing Ben Arthur (The Cobbler)

During this walk, you’ll pass Ben Arthur, popularly known as The Cobbler. As mentioned, we’d previously climbed Ben Arthur. So, on this occasion, we simply walked by the spectacular Corbett. On the way back to Succoth, you’ll pass the impressive Narnain Boulders. You’ll also walk alongside the quaint stream of Allt a’ Bhalachain. The walk finishes with a tedious series of switchbacks leading you back down to Loch Long.

Read more: How To Hike The Cobbler (Ben Arthur) In Scotland

Useful Things to Know Before You Go

Before setting out to climb Beinn Ime, there are some useful things to know. Below, we’ll cover all of the essential information about how to get there, where to stay nearby and what to take.

How to Get to Beinn Ime

The quickest and easiest way to get to Succoth to walk to Beinn Ime is to drive there yourself. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, then we recommend hiring a car.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Public Transport

It’s also possible to use public transport to get to Succoth. From Glasgow, you can catch a train and alight at Arrochar and Tarbet. From the Arrochar and Tarbet train station, you’ll need to walk around 3km to get to the trailhead. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Glasgow to the Braeside Stores bus stop in Succoth. From Braeside Stores, it’s an approx. 1.1km walk to the trailhead.

Another option is to catch a train to Arrochar and Tarbet from Glasgow and then catch a bus to Braeside Stores. But, it may be tricky to coordinate this option as departures of both services are often limited.

We recommend using Google Maps, Citylink and Trainline to help plan your journey using public transport.

Accommodation​​

If you want to stay near Beinn Ime, then we recommend staying in the Arrochar Alps. There are plenty of great accommodation options in and around Arrochar. Below, we’ll look at the best budget, mid-range and luxurious accommodation options.

Other Loch Lomond Walks

There are plenty of other spectacular mountain walks to enjoy in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Below, we’ll detail some of the best Loch Lomond walks that we’ve completed ourselves.

• Ben Vane: we hiked this Munro as a separate out and back and thoroughly enjoyed it.
• Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’ Chroin: one of our favourite walks in the national park, starting from Loch Earn.
• Ben More and Stob Binnein: one of the best double Munro walks in the national park.
• Ben Lui and Beinn a’ Chleibh: known as the Queen of the South, Ben Lui is a compelling but challenging Munro to bag.
• Conic Hill: one of Scotland’s most iconic hill walks.
• Ben Lomond: this is the most popular walk in the national park.
• Little Fawn Waterfall Trail: located in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, the short trail reaches this gorgeous waterfall.
• Ben Venue: a spectacular Munro, also located in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Loch Achray and Loch Katrine.
• Ben A’an: you’ll have to climb the famous miniature mountain.
• Loch Ard and Rob Roy’s Cave: an easy circular walk passing Loch Ard, a hidden lochan and Rob Roy’s Cave.
• Ben Ledi: a fantastic mountain walk starting near Loch Lubnaig.
• Bracklinn Falls and Scouts Pool: a great short circular walk near Callander, exploring many falls and cascades.
• Falls of Falloch: an easy short walk to the national park’s most popular waterfall.
• Devil’s Pulpit (Finnich Glen): although it technically falls outside of the national park, this place is a must-visit.

Read more: Best Loch Lomond Walks Guide

FAQs

Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about Beinn Ime.

Is Beinn Ime a Munro?

Yes.

How Long Does It Take to Climb Beinn Ime?

The Beinn Ime climb time, if doing the out and back from Succoth, without summiting any other mountains, takes anywhere between 6–7 hours.

Is Beinn Ime Hard to Climb?

Yes, the out and back walk from Succoth is quite physically demanding with over 1,000 metres of elevation gain.

What Is the Beinn Ime and Ben Narnain Route?

Click here for a map and trail specs for this route option.

What to Wear and Take

Below, you’ll find some gear essentials for this walk.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Bonus Tips

• Beinn Ime weather: it’s not unusual to get wind, rain and poor ​​​​visibility in the Arrochar Alps. After all, that’s the typical climate for this area. To know what you’re in for, check Mountain Forecast or the Met Office before you go.
• Best time to visit: usually, the best weather in Scotland is in May and June. So, most visitors head to Scotland in the middle of the year (April to October) to take advantage of the warmer weather and reduced chance of rainfall. But, after all, mountain weather can be unpredictable!
• Climb Ben Nevis: you’ll have to climb the UK’s highest mountain during a trip to Scotland.

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