Unlike it's Corbett neighbour Meall na Gualainn standing in a solitary position above the opposite shore of Loch Leven, Garbh Bheinn is hemmed in by the Aonach Eagach ridge and other Munro summits.
It therefore doesn't afford such great views north, south or west, however the view eastwards from the summit over Rannoch Moor to Schiehallion is wonderful.
The easiest and most direct route up the hill is over two contrasting parts - a wet mucky trudge for the first 400m of ascent and a loose path on gravel thereafter.
Overall the route is very enjoyable and worthy of a fine summer evening's stroll or a short winter's daylight ramble.
Getting there
The route starts from the east side of the bridge over the Allt Gleann a'Chaolais, just east of the Caolasnacon camping site. There is space for 2 or 3 cars to on the west side of the bridge and space for a couple more on the east side. Regardless of coming from the north or south, the start is most readily accessed from Glencoe Village.
Garbh Bheinn
On the eastern side of the bridge a faint wet path starts by the roadside and heads uphill through the grass and some trees. A few paces up, the path joins with tracks made by an ATV. Follow these tracks for 50m or so, then look for a faint path on your left (perhaps marked by a few stones) heading directly uphill. The path can be incredibly wet, boggy and slippy, but persist ! A minor summit is reached at around 400m and the path continues south-east, contouring around couple of rises ahead. A wet bealach is crossed from where the path can be seen making a route through the heather on Garbh Bheinn's steep western slope. Aim up this path, loose in bits to what looks like the summit. Garbh Bheinn has a few false summits, and this last one is above a landslip giving some dramatic views. The summit is a few minutes further on, where three small cairns sit overlooking drops down to Kinlochleven to the north and an interesting perspective of the Aonach Eagach's tricky ridge to the south.
Return
Return by the same route, possibly heading south from the bealach directly onto the ATV track for a quick jog back to the road.
The grassy approach up the north-west shoulder
Garbh Bheinn from Mam na Gualainn, Schiehallion in the distance
The Aonach Eagach from Garbh Bheinn's summit
Me approaching Garbh Bheinn's summit with the Pap of Glencoe behind
Garbh Bheinn's north-west shoulder with The Mamores and Ben Nevis behind
Garbh Bheinn with The Mamores and Ben Nevis behind
Garbh Bheinn from the Pap of Glencoe
Currently no alternatives for this hill
North
Meall na Gualainn
A fine corbetts standing above the northern shore of Loch Leven. Not much effort required to gain stunning views !
North-east
The Mamores
One of the finest mountain ranges in Scotland. Fit hillwalkers and runners can bag all 10 munro summits in one outing.
West
Beinn a'Bheithir
The 'thunderbolt mountain' gives a fantastic quick hill run, or a delightful scramble - you choose. Super views !
South
The Glencoe Munros
Well defined paths over high level ridges, alongside sharp gorges and through a hidden glen. Some tricky scrambling on the Aonach Eagach and Bidean nam Bian