Garbh Bheinn is probably one of the finest mountains in the western Highlands and easily the most precipitous in the Ardgour range. Like most mountains, it is best viewed from a distance and the best prospect is from Glencoe near Ballachullish. The full extent of the crags on the northeast face can, however, be best appreciated from the ridges on either side of Coire an lubhair. Do not be put off by the steep and rocky character of the hill, however, as it is easily accessed by walkers. There are several routes to the top all starting from different points.

The shortest ascent is from a point on the A861 through Glen Tarbert due south of Garbh Beinn. This is a wearisome scramble through steep heather, scree and gravelly waterslides up Coire a'Chrothruim.

The best route is the one that starts at the foot of Coire an lubhair where there is parking by the old bridge off the A861 some four kilometers west of the Kingairloch road end. Follow the western side of the Abhainn Coire an lubhair and climb the long Sron a'Garbh Choire Bhig ridge. Although there is a good deal of bare rock, there are traces of paths through the many rock outcrops and the going is easy to the cairn at the top of the Sron. From here the view eastward to Glencoe is excellent as is the view over the head of Coire an lubhair to the south face of the mountain. Descend about one hundred metres to a col then climb up the steep and rocky slope to reach the west ridge of Garbh Bheinn a little west of the summit. Take care, as this is perched right on the edge of the south face. Approx. 6kms; 2hrs. 45m.

To vary your descent return to the col below the south face and travel northeast down a steep incline to the head of Coire an lubhair where a path of sorts leads down the east side of the burn to the old bridge.

An alternate route starts on the eastern side of Coire an lubhair following the ridge of Druim an lubhair to Sgorr Mhic Eacharna. From there, continue over Beinn Bheag and ascend steeply to the pass on the north side of Garbh Bheinn, the Bealach Feith 'n Amean. The descent along the north ridge of Garbh Bheinn is quite steep and the upper section rocky. It takes you fairly easily over the tops of the buttresses on the mountain's northeast face to complete the descent of the Sron a'Garbh Choire Bhig by the Abhainn Coire an lubhair to the old bridge by the A861.