Ben More
1,174 m
United Kingdom
Also known as Ben More (Crianlarich), Beinn MhòrAlso known as
Ben More (Crianlarich) · Beinn Mhòr
- Elevation
- 1,174 m
- Prominence
- 989 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The direct, famously relentless ascent from the A85 at Benmore Farm: a track to a gate at 300 m, then a stepped path straight up the north-west ridge beside a drystone dyke above the Sloc Curraidh corrie to the summit cairn, about 1,000 m of ascent in 4 km. Often extended over Stob Binnein: 12 km, 1,335 m, 6–8 hours.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 3.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,012 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,175 m
- Time Up
- 3h 48m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 27m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park carefully off the A85 just east of Benmore Farm, or in the large lay-by about 800 m further east at the west end of Loch Iubhair. A low wooden 'Ben More' sign marks a small path across the ditch to a track above the farm; turn left and follow it in zigzags under the pylons to a gate at about 300 m. Through the gate a stepped path climbs the steep slope ahead, keeping left of the lower Sloc Curraidh corrie. From about 800 m it follows a drystone dyke along the ridge on the north side of the corrie (shown as a stream on OS 1:25,000 maps). The steepest section gains the rocky shoulder above the corrie, after which the path swings slightly left with views of Loch Tay and climbs the final slopes to the large summit cairn; the trig point is on a rocky outcrop just beyond. The Sloc Curraidh headwall is very steep and avalanche-prone in winter and spring, and there have been fatalities. Descend the same way, or continue to Stob Binnein: a rocky descent with one short wall (scramble or bypass on the left) leads to the Bealach-eadar-dà-Bheinn (862 m, marked by an enormous boulder), then a clear zigzag path to Stob Binnein (1,165 m). Return to the bealach and descend by the path across Ben More's slopes and down beside a burn to the Benmore Glen track, which leads back to the gate.
Start
Benmore Farm161 m
- Walkhighlands lists none to the start. The nearest railway station is Crianlarich (West Highland Line), about 4 km west along the A85, with no footway.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benmore Farm → Ben More | 3.4 | 1,012 | 0 | 3h 48m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Benmore Farm161 m
Limited roadside parking; larger lay-by at the west end of Loch Iubhair
- Summit: Ben More1,174 m
Key Passages
- Stepped path above the 300 m gate
- Dyke along the ridge north of the Sloc Curraidh corrie
- Steep rocky shoulder below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
At 1,174 m the highest mountain in Britain south of the Tay and in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: a huge green pyramid above Crianlarich whose standard route climbs 1,000 m in 4 km, usually paired with its twin Stob Binnein.
Ben More (Beinn Mhòr, 'the great mountain') is the highest of the Crianlarich Hills in Breadalbane, rising steeply from Glen Dochart and the A85 east of Crianlarich. No higher mountain lies anywhere further south in Britain, and it is the highest point of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Its twin, Stob Binnein (1,165 m), stands just to the south across the Bealach-eadar-dà-Bheinn.
The standard ascent from Benmore Farm is short in distance but unrelentingly steep: about 1,000 m of height in 4 km on a stepped path up the north-west ridge. Most walkers combine it with Stob Binnein, a 12 km round with 1,335 m of ascent taking 6–8 hours. The north-east ridge offers a craggier, less steep alternative, and a long traverse leads south over Stob Binnein to Inverlochlarig near Balquhidder.
The summit, with a large cairn and a trig point on a rocky outcrop, looks west to Ben Lui and round the mountains of the southern Highlands to Ben Lawers above Loch Tay. A long-lasting snow patch on the north side, named on Ordnance Survey maps, often survives into June or July.
Climbing Notes
The Benmore Farm route needs stamina and steady legs rather than technical skill: about 1,000 m of steep ascent and the same back down. In mist, stay on the path by the dyke and well away from the Sloc Curraidh corrie, a dangerous trap in poor weather. In winter and spring the mountain holds a lot of snow, the corrie headwall is avalanche-prone, and there have been fatalities: carry and know how to use an ice axe and crampons, check the forecast and avalanche information, and turn back if conditions are poor. Killin Mountain Rescue Team covers the hill. A webcam at Crianlarich shows current conditions on the mountain.
History
On 19 January 1973 a British European Airways Vickers Viscount on a test flight from Glasgow flew into the mountain about 180 m north-east of and 30 m below the summit, killing all four on board. Two men died when their microlight crashed into the mountain on 12 May 2012.
Season
Best Jun–Sep- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Full winter conditions; avalanche risk in the Sloc Curraidh
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Winter conditions; avalanche-prone corrie
- Apr
- Snow on the upper mountain; spring avalanche risk
- May
- Snow patches on the north side; long days
- Jun
- The Cuidhe Chrom snow patch often lasts into June
- Jul
- Midges low down
- Sep
- Stalking east of the ridge from September; the normal route is unaffected
- Oct
- Shorter days; first snow possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions; very short days
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies; Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
- Deer stalking on the Suie Estate east of the ridge from the beginning of September to 20 October and 30 October to 15 February, not on Sundays; the normal route from Benmore Farm (up and down the same way) is always fine. Contact 01567 820354 or info@auchlyne.co.uk
- Getting There
Crianlarich
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
- Train: West Highland Line to Crianlarich, then about 4 km east along the A85 (no footway)
- Car: A85 east from Crianlarich towards Killin; park carefully just east of Benmore Farm or in the lay-by at the west end of Loch Iubhair
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Weather