Highlight • Natural Monument
Ben More Summit
Hiking
5.0
(63)
Mountaineering
5.0
(1)
Hiking trails up Ben More tend to start from Inverlochaig to the south or Ben More Farm to the north. Either way, the terrain is grassy with crags jutting out from the steep slopes at regular intervals. Summiting this behemoth is no easy feat and few could escape the serious thigh burn but when you reach the summit cairn, all your tiredness will be forgotten.
Standing on top of the world
Ben More might not be the highest Munro in Scotland (it’s the 16th), but it sure feels like it when you’re catching your breath at the summit. With nothing in the UK south of this peak rising higher, Ben More presides over the land with an unerring grace.
Grassy, rocky terrain dominates the summit with a cairn and trig point. Due south, the sleek peak of Stob Binnein will call you onwards to it if you haven’t already come that way. Bagging both summits is common but the descent between is significant with a clear path and you can decide whether to go for a second peak while munching your trail mix on the first.
With innumerable streams and liable to a heavy misting from hovering cloud, not to mention rain, hiking Ben More can be a boggy affair and winter brings treacherous ice and snow; suitable only for experienced winter mountaineers. During the summer, this stunning mountain sees changeable conditions and high winds so always be prepared.
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Tips
December 13, 2019
Hiking
April 2, 2020
Hiking
October 7, 2021
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Ben More Summit
4.7
(50)
712
hikers
12.2km
06:03
1,210m
1,210m
Embark on a challenging hike through the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park with the Ben More & Stob Binnein loop. This difficult 7.6-mile (12.2 km) route demands good fitness, featuring a significant 3961 feet (1207 metres) of elevation gain and typically taking around 6 hours and 3 minutes to complete. You will encounter varied terrain, from steep, boggy sections on lower slopes to rocky ground and scrambling as you ascend. From the summits, expect spectacular panoramic views of the Scottish Highlands, including Ben More's distinctive pyramid shape and Stob Binnein's shapelier outline, along with distant lochs and other peaks.
This trail is considered a hard hike, requiring sturdy shoes and some alpine experience due to its steep ascents and potentially vague paths. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, as cold, wind, mist, and rain can increase the difficulty and boggy conditions. Winter hiking is only suitable for experienced hillwalkers with special equipment like crampons and an ice axe. The initial part of the ascent and the final return leg often follow farm tracks, but much of the route is remote and unspoilt.
What makes this loop particularly notable is the opportunity to bag two Munros, Ben More and Stob Binnein, in a single outing. Ben More is the highest Munro in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and its initial ascent from the A85 is famously steep, climbing approximately 1,000 vertical meters in just two miles. These are the highest hills around Crianlarich, with no taller summit anywhere south in the British Isles, offering a true sense of accomplishment upon completion. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare upland plant communities and diverse wildlife like red deer and golden eagles.
4.4
(7)
119
hikers
8.00km
04:58
980m
980m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5.0
(3)
19
hikers
14.0km
06:33
1,030m
1,030m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Details
Informations
Elevation 1,150 m
Good to know
Family Friendly
no
Wheelchair access
no
Dog Friendly
yes
Weather
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Monday 8 June
12°C
5°C
67 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h
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