Photographs, map and route description of the Munro Beinn Fhionnlaidh in Glen Etive

Beinn Fhionnlaidh ( 3145ft )

from Beinn Maol Chaluim

Beinn Fhionnlaidh

from Fraochaidh

Bheinn Fhionnlaidh

from Ben Starav

Meall a Bhuirridh rising above Glenceitlin Bothy at the foot of Stob Dubh

Beinn Fhionnlaidh ( 3145ft )

Beinn Fhionnlaidh

from Meall Ligiche

Route Map for Beinn Fhionnlaidh

BEINN FHIONNLAIDH - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Glen Etive
Map: OS Landranger 50 ( GR095498 )
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km )
Time: 5hours
Terrain: tracks and hillpaths

Beinn Fhionnlaidh at the southern end of Glen Etive is a good objective for a ﬁne winters day. Although snowy conditions can be expected on the upper section of the mountain if not lower down and the appropriate equipment of ice axe and crampons should be taken, the route is comparatively straightforward once the Allt Charnan burn is crossed.
Park near the end of the Glen Etive road at a small parking area before the bridge over the Allt Charnan, where the road turns sharply south-east to Invercharnan. Don't descend to Invercharnan as described in the guidebooks but continue straight aheadat the bend on to a new forestry track built to service weed-cutting operations in the surrounding forrestry.
This soon joins unto the old track leading from Invercharnan that runs south-west then north-west through the conifer plantation.
Follow the track for about 1.75 miles ( 3km ) to where it turns sharply right. On the left, a cairned path — muddy at ﬁrst and partly obscured by trees branches off from the main track. Gain this, it soon becomes a clearer track, and follow it to the open hillside facing Sgor na h-Ulaidh at the head of the glen and Beinn Fhionnlaidh to the left. Turn sharp left and follow a path down to the Allt nan Gaoirean, where there are two dilapidated log bridges covered with corrugated iron. If the burn is low it is easily crossed here without the bridges, or slightly further upstream.
If the burn is in spate then the bridges can be crossed with care; on hands and knees if the wood is slippery.
Up ahead a burn descends from a prominent deep rocky gully on the south face of Meall nan Gobhar. Ascend the path, quite muddy at ﬁrst, initially on the left of the burn, then on the right to gain the col between Meall nan Gobhar and the southern ﬂank of Beinn Fhionnlaidh's east top.
Zig-zag steeply up on a path of stony quartz then north-west to gain the ridge between the East Top and main summit, which is marked by a line of old fence posts, then descend west to the col below the rocky upper east ridge, where a fence goes left.
Ascend the ridge via a couple at rocky steps, which can be taken direct or avoided easily to the left, to gain the rocky summit area, from where the trig point can be seen to the west. It is well worthwhile continuing along the ridge and taking in the East Top before descending.
However, the volume of boulder scree on the south side of the East Top means a return to the ascent path on the ridge is a better descent option than descending directly to the one below Meall nan Gobhar.