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Ben Lui. (3700 ft) & Beinn a
Chleibh (3005 ft). 12 miles or 7 miles
Gaelic, Ben Lui = 'hill of the calf'
To see the spectacular 360 degree view from the summit, download the 440K 'Pixmaker' image - your PC will
scream warnings at you but the file is guaranteed safe to run. Firewalls may require the
application to be permitted.
Alternatively, download the still 360
degree image or the FLASH Pano taken from the summit to maximise and
scroll.  Ben Lui is probably one of the most spectacular mountains
you will see in Scotland with its twin craggy summits and sheer drops into truly cavernous
corries.
Coire Gaothach to the north east side is almost always filled with snow through the winter
and steep snow banks form on the other faces making this a very serious winter
proposition.
Routes:
1)The most spectacular ascent:
is from Dalrigh near Tyndrum with a walk of
nearly 12 miles, most of that distance being the walk in and out, (4.3 miles each way).
This route can be made partly circular by ascending via Stob Garbh and decending via Stob
an Tigh Aird. This route does involve putting hand to rock and a head for heights is
useful around the edge of Coire Gaothach.
2)The shorter (easier) ascent:
As my aging knees were a little tired, this time I took the easier and shorter option from
the A85 Oban road, starting from the hidden car park GR NN239279.
 Follow the track from the carpark to the river and follow the
river downstream for 300 yards.
There is a footbridge about 0.75 mile downstream but this leads onto the railway line and
should not be used (;-).
Wade over the river opposite a railway bridge (boots-off if water not low, impossible if
water level high), then beyond the railway follow the east bank of the burn, keeping to
the east bank of the first tributary.
Continue up this very wet track, staying on the north bank of the burn and ignoring all
right forks, to a narrow ford which you cross to climb up an awkward bank to a stile over
the deer fence.
After the stile, the easier option is the obvious worn track
which follows the rising wet ground and a fence into Fionn Choirein before  ascending the steepish scramble over rocky bluffs and loose rock to the
bealach between Ben Lui and Beinn a Chleibh.
The harder option is to tackle the steep rocky slope (heading
about 125o for 0.75 mile)
almost directly opposite the stile to ascend the craggy spur to the NNW of Ben Lui to the
summit - scrambling skills useful for this option.
If like me you take the route to the bealach, a steady slog of about 900 ft from the
bealach takes you to a point between the twin tops and a vertiginous view down into Coire
Gaothach. Main summit at approx GR NN266263 and northern top at NN266264.
Having soaked in the view, visibility permitting, return to the bealach by the same
route and continue SW to Beinn a Chleibh (NN250256 at 3005 ft).
The tricky crags of Stob Dubh to the northwest are steep and dangerous and are not
a suitable descent route. The safe return is back to the bealach and down by
Fionn Choirein
 This is a satisfying and easy short walk if
the second route is chosen. No great difficulties are encountered providing the steep
rocks of Stob Dubh are avoided.
Views from the top are outstanding to the Crianlarich / Falloch peaks of Ben More,
Stobinian, Cruach Ardrain, Ben Oss and An Caisteal , and very obvious to the SE is
Ben Lomond and a glimps of the loch.
To the NW, Loch Awe and the 5 peaks of Cruachan can be seen clearly with the circular
route from Dalmally looking an inviting prospect for another day.
A serious walk requiring correct equipment and snow/ice skills
in winter conditions - be properly prepared and add 50% to your time.
 
A Norman conquerer at the summit and another walker on the way up the NW shoulder
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