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Name:Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire [Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire]
Hill number:342
Height:528m / 1732ft
RHB Section:04A: Fort William to Loch Treig and Loch Leven
County/UA:Highland
Catchment:Linnhe, Catchment Boundaries, Nevis
Class:Marilyn, Hump, Dodd (500-599m), Highland Five, Yeaman
(Ma,Hu,Tu,5,HF,Y)
Grid ref:NN 11492 70797
Summit feature:cairn
Drop:263m
Col:265m  NN124704  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 41
(1:25k) 392
Observations:note free-standing boulder 35m ENE at NN 11525 70805 is 20cm higher
Survey:Abney level
Change log:show changes for this hill entry
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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N.B. Some hill summits are on private property or on land where there is no public right of way.  Permission should be sought from the landowner where access to a hill summit is through private land(*).
*For information about access rights in Scotland see the ScotWays website.
Please report via the contact page any logs you see below which describe or encourage acts of trespass.  Please quote the hill number and hill name.

Logged Descriptions  (logged by 189 users)ByDate of Ascent
Parked just down from derelict building in Blarmachfoldach which now has no parking signs! Through two fields, gate then at track partway and path. Lovely ridge walk there and back. Clear with brief snow flurry. With Hugh, Mel, Adrian and Adam on Fellfarers Glen Coe meet.alwaysinshorts14/01/2024
With Jon, Mark, Hannah, Vicky & Housechild. From Glen Nevis, having started on WHW and Peat Track.Grinner30/12/2023
Parking difficult. Alongside house, part verge, part passing place NN 0974 6907carole engel12/08/2023
https://strava.app.link/QsvSsrNQPybJohn08/04/2023
Glorious little ridge - perfect hill for a lovely but very warm day.nicolajane12/08/2022
With: hb; We walked up from Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, along WHW track up to bealach about Dun Deardail, then by steep fence on forest edge across to summit. Returned by same route. Excellent view of Dun Deardail with very wet backdrop of Glen Nevis.Ian Baines10/05/2022
Parked at loop of old road approx 096704. Headed up between fence beside burn. No fences. Up to ridge in heavy rain got soaked.rogreeves05/04/2022
A good hill for a wet and windy day. The parking at Blarmachfoldach seems to have been improved since I last passed by and looks almost official now. Route is as Bolton and JulieB describe it and is indeed very pleasant and easy, with nice views until I went into the cloud.Gill19/11/2021
Started at a small area where there was space fora couple of cars by a derelict building opposite a gate near Blarmachfoldach 097692(ish). Straight through the gate to the top of the field, then through another gate onto the open hillside. ATV track then path all the way to the summit. This is a really pleasant ridge walk, grassy most of the way. Returned same way as it was so pleasant. 3.4 miles 1hr 40 walking time for round trip.JulieB19/09/2021
From campsiteTonyandsue02/08/2021
After Druim na h-Earba on a still evening with sun going down overhills to W at 9.15PM on summit.davechaffey31/07/2021
MC. Ascended from the Cow Hill path. Bottom section very deep and hard going. Not to be recommended. Betterterrian further up although lots of short drops and reascents. Flies! Lots of them!! Good views but hazy. Round in 1 hr 35.Martin6626/06/2021
Solo trip, walking from the Glen Nevis campsite. Start on the WHW forest track, which climbs in hairpins re-crossing the Allt Ghlas-araich. Easiest route on to the east side of the hill is along the forest fence west from NN124705.Invicta1427/04/2021
Fort William station - track S of Cow Hill - N 'ridge' to Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire - Cow Hill - path down W flank to Fort William streets.Mark Jackson21/08/2020
Parked in a layby near Blarmachfoldach, then a steep climb to the ridge through six inches to a foot of snow with a longer walk out to the top than I had expected. Snow showers but some brightness around.Simon Winton26/02/2020
Cow Hill, Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire, Druim na h-Earbakeithouk20/02/2020
With Kilted Biggles, Chantell, Dean and JP.kojak23/11/2019
Parked at the small parking area by the unused green building in Blarmachfoldach. We went over the gate almost opposite and and followed the fence uphill. Another gate leads on to the open hill, where an atv track and path leads to the summit. A fantastic viewpoint. Returned the same way. With JT.Sprog26/08/2019
Parked at green house as mentioned by bolton, then easily up ridge.Susan Bidwell13/05/2019
13:00, warm sunshine after a wet morning, from path to Cow Hill. As soon as off the track, feels like remote hill country. Will be lovely when self-seeded spruce grow up. Rough walking over multiple false summits, inevitably fine view, snowing at summit, then rain lower down, then sun again - classic April weather. Nearly walked over a small crag. On to Cow Hill.Wycombe Wanderer02/04/2019
From 097691. With Chris W. Straightforward to reach the open hillside through gates. Too windy to go higher. Cloud base around 500-550m. Surprisingly fun walk given the grotty conditions and limited views.Owen B20/02/2019
Parked at the viewpoint to the West & used the Cow Hill circuit path to gain the Northern flank of the hill before traversing it & dropping back onto the road to the Southwest & back to viewpoint. On own.MorecambeMonkey25/11/2018
From a small area to park close to an unused green dilapidated dwelling at 097692. Through 2 gates and a good track to the summit up the SW ridge. Easy walking. Solo of 90 minutes.bolton27/09/2018
From old road loop 096074, track opposite, then sheep trods between bracken. Hot, sunny, slight breeze at last, great views.iangalbraith05/07/2018
From Blarmachfoldachraffemeister17/06/2018
tickchazzyboy1917/04/2018
2 of 3: From Druim na h-Earba.ChrisR09/10/2017
On way to Alison's Final Corbett.tallscottishguy01/09/2017
From north end of Blarmachfoldach, short track then two gates to open hillside. It is worth choosing a day with at most high cloud to appreciate the awesome views of Ben Nevis, was someone up there on the summit flying a kite?Topographer5704/05/2017
from cattle grid, up path to cow hill then cross country through tussocks and deep snow, missed any obvious path.cjo14/01/2017
Walk from space for a couple of cars, near Blarmachfoldach. Great views, as low cloud blew in and out. Orienteering flags around. With S, Slim Jim, the Terrier and the F.C. Date approx.The Captain07/06/2016
R Richard Tait08/05/2016
From Just north of Blarmachfoldach. Dry easy track through a couple of fields up the south west defined ridge and good path. Fine view point on summit over to the Ben and Mamores.N.Morters11/04/2016
Weather fair.MountainMac18/03/2016
Beautiful late afternoon walk in perfect sunshine. Dazzled.jenx15/03/2016
Repeat with Jenx. Parked in same place as Feb 2015 - see entry in Hill Bagging. This time from field gate went right and found excellent grass vehicle track leading all way up ridge to 450m. Easiest walking ever! In return used track all way to road 200m SE from where parked. Not obvious down at that level where it goes but its in the pasture just past the green house!nordicstar15/03/2016
Alone. Great view to BN.tallblond26/10/2015
From the bridge on the road to the west of the hill. Went straight up and then over a few false summits to the top which is a fine view point. Harder than we expected.mindlessflogger23/05/2015
Parked about 095699 (18:15) and climbed steeply to ridge in drizzle, then dry easy walk along pleasant grassy ridge to summit (19:05) with great views of glen, town and loch and misty ones of Mamores. Ben in cloud. Finish 19:40dbb12/05/2015
Circuit from Glen Nevis Campsite. (Write up at http://gayleybird.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/bideein-bad-na-h-lolaire-druim-na-h.html)Gayle06/05/2015
A magnificent ridge walk from the south west over many false summits to a great summit cairn view point. Will do this again. Bravo...Play2End27/03/2015
parked at cattle grid up onto ridge, then to the top windy.robertphillips15/02/2015
From before the now gone phone box on Lundavra road at NN09586961, big passing place that local farmer said was ok to park in if tucked into the end. To top of enclosure and field gate. Hacked straight up hill on pasture/heathery ground and over the numerous knolls. Reached main ridge in fading light. On over old snows to top most cairn. Fort William streetlights bright. Ben shrouded in mist and gloom. Fading light over Linhe guided me down to car. 60 minute return.nordicstar13/02/2015
Solo run on a very windy day, from near Blarmachfoldach.amswanston05/10/2014
2nd Scottish Marilyn accompanied by wife and friends David, Wendy & Joss. Approached from Lundavra road but complicated by fact that phone box at Blarmachfoldach has been removed. Many false summits and unnecessary mounds climbed and difficult descent down to path between Glen Nevis and Fort William. Lack of marked paths on OS Explorer maps makes Scottish peak bagging slightly different than it's English cousin. <BR> <a href="http://stevejsmith56scottishmunroes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/bidein-bad-na-h-iolaire-near-fort.html" target="_blank" >Route details walked</a> <BR> Including statistics, map, photographs and walk description.mntainman22/11/2012
With Mora, from minor road south of Fort William.BLACKHILL28/10/2012
solo 9.50 am Caught my lime green new lightweight waterproof on barbed wire as I jumped over a fence back to the car. grrrrrr.vegibagger26/08/2012
From the second cattle grid on the Lundavara road an easy walk with a variety of potential routes.Martin R05/02/2012
Solo HFB18/08/2010
eagle crag race.tom smith28/06/2009
Ascended from high point on minor road out of Fort William.JohnW24/04/2007
One of the Marilyns I can walk up from Home. SW ridge far preferable to coming from the N (unless you like false summits!)AndrewFinnimore02/06/2006
Up and down from WHW.Eddie06/02/2005
Parked on the road just before Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. Walked on the West Highland Way to just before Dun Deardail Fort. At a style turned west by a fence and ascended a very steep slope. From there on it was an easier ascent to the top.garyhoney26/07/2004
Layby on narrow lane. Through 1 gate and over another steeply up over rough sheep grass to visible horizon and to rock outcrop on crest. A further mile with 2 downs as well as ups on narrowing grassy crests. Faint path appeared and to top at 13.20. Magical views of Glen Nevis and the tourist path zig zags on the Ben. at eye level.arranc07/07/2002
Rhannadonmeister22/09/2001
I parked near Blarmachfoldach on the Fort William to Lundavra road. I walked up the SW ridge of Bidean Bad na h-Iolaire to the summit. I returned the same way. Date may not be precisely correct.pwbellarby25/08/2000
Walked up from Fort William via Cow Hill. yorkie30/05/2000
Climbed while on a family holiday at fort William.Man of Kernow124/10/1999
fine summit ridge, good glen nevis view. tk/road jct 097704, glengour RHW20/08/1999
Raining, windy, nasty. No good for winter climbing yet again. Safeways shopping at FW then with Alan Armstrong 2 hour run up and down this nearby marilyn for some bagging exercise. Sunshine and snow showers. Steep descent down through forestryChris Pearson28/02/1999
Solo.MickyRoss10/09/1995
MickyJimA01/04/1977
assynt_bob03/03/2024
sarahk20/02/2024
ThickIce14/05/2023
StueyB08/04/2023
ketzster15/11/2022
LovelyLass05/04/2022
greenandblue02/04/2022
duchally02/12/2021
ARM30/10/2021
andy macp02/08/2021
cmacpherson01/08/2021
dave g21/07/2021
daveyf200123/05/2021
Biggerbagger10/04/2020
Dawn Oldham20/02/2020
weaselmaster24/01/2020
Sick Kid24/01/2020
kiltedbiggles23/11/2019
thenomad28/06/2019
softsquare21/06/2019
Domino13/05/2019
scoob01/01/2018
Fi01/01/2018
Kevin2903529/12/2017
willyross01/04/2017
lindaross01/04/2017
Crumblie229/10/2016
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iainwalton09/05/2016
NormanW22/03/2016
GaryJones20/03/2016
Isbjorn02/03/2016
Lorna S26/02/2016
Tricky20/11/2015
govanah24/10/2015
hill walker23/07/2015
hillsman18/03/2015
daviemore22/02/2015
MacAoidh26/01/2015
grumpy23/11/2014
benalder28401/09/2014
Sunhat29/04/2014
cmac23/02/2014
Laurel22/10/2013
Rowan20/10/2013
vuirich05/05/2013
Johnny Corbett12/04/2013
interloper18/01/2013
Fletch18/01/2013
GinaSmith22/11/2012
Lionel Bidwell01/09/2012
Dee Rogers01/09/2012
Glenford26/07/2012
mae01/07/2012
IainT22/06/2012
foggieclimber17/06/2012
hughbagger06/06/2012
jimbloomer31/03/2012
kathyh11/02/2012
neilsan26/08/2011
RobertP30/05/2011
richtea504026/02/2011
ajwxyzt26/02/2011
Alan Whatley07/05/2010
Thearlaichdubh22/04/2010
AndyS04/04/2010
iaindbrown05/02/2010
aul-fogie31/01/2010
Martyn128/11/2009
Chris Peart12/11/2009
LizH11/10/2009
PeterAH11/10/2009
Tom Mundell18/07/2009
Iona18/07/2009
chriswatson17/07/2009
Neil Midgley02/07/2009
Andrew Simmons29/10/2008
Tony Rogers29/08/2008
BrianMatthews28/06/2008
RichardM17/05/2008
Denise 17/05/2008
petesimpson14/12/2007
interloper20/11/2007
Campbell Singer16/10/2006
PGCE23/09/2006
BaggerGutt29/08/2006
ras5224/08/2006
lordtonult04/06/2006
chrisbien02/06/2006
Ken_Stewart03/04/2006
Tony S31/01/2006
fasgadh21/01/2006
TONY DEALL14/10/2005
Jim.Fothergill14/05/2005
ad-lib02/05/2005
Archie26/10/2004
KathW26/10/2004
Sherlock14/08/2004
bjewing02/01/2004
MIKE NICHOLLS24/05/2003
johnbarnard2521/03/2003
Kiltie16/11/2002
Colin Crawford04/07/2002
Lindsay M03/05/2002
Rod M03/05/2002
Smudge01/03/2002
Minto15/01/2000
tsmart01/01/2000
bertbarnett12330/12/1999
Calico13/05/1999
Gavin Theobald00/00/1999
SuzanneTheobald00/00/1999
chalky195315/04/1998
Kompass02/01/1998
ChrisU02/11/1997
JGC29/03/1997
Alan Moore16/02/1997
alda24/09/1996
GordonAdshead00/04/1995
curlebd01/01/1970
kanderson01/01/1970
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