The summit is not easily seen from the A827 road, from where the ascent is usually started. A path follows the Lawers Burn towards Lochan nan Cat. For a direct ascent of Meall Garbh the walker may simply climb Northeast from this path shortly after it passes some abandoned shielings. Alternatively, Meall Garbh is more commonly climbed in conjunction with Meall Greigh, with the latter hill being climbed first; the route described previously is thus used for descent. Meall Garbh could also form part of a longer traverse of the Ben Lawers Range, taking another four Munros, finishing at the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre. This route can be further extended to a total of seven Munros if one also climbs Meall a' Choire Léith and Meall Corranaich.
