Your National Park adventure starts IN CALLANDER

Stobinian From Inverlochlarig

Length: 8.3 miles circular (6-7 hours)
Start: Car park at west end Balquhidder Glen at Inverlochlarig

Straightforward but difficult in winter. Navigation can be tricky.

This walk takes you over the 3000 foot mark 3 times and winter conditions may be seen before the end of September and into mid May. Dangerous fragile cornice almost always present in winter conditions to the east side of the ridge from Stob Coire na Lochan over Stob Binean and down to Bealach eadar dha Bheinn - be prepared! Height 3823 ft plus 2 other peaks over 3000ft.

This is a great walk both winter and summer, but sadly neglected as Stobinian is usually approached via Ben More from the north side.

The Route

From the A84 at King's House Hotel follow the signs for Rob Roy's Grave to Kirkton of Balquhidder then keep going to pass lochs Voil and Doine to the car park at the end of the public road (NN445184).

The walk commences at a stile opposite the carpark with a climb from 500 ft to 2100 feet within about 0.7 mile. The next 1.5 miles takes you over easy ridges to the first peak - Stob Coire an Lochan at about 3470 feet, (GR NN438221).

The imposing peak of Stobinian at about 3800 feet is now only 0.5 miles away along a fairly level ridge with a sharp climb up to the Stobinian summit (NN435227) with its tempting neighbour of Ben More only 1 mile distant, but with a drop of 1000 feet between. If you're early and fit enough you can include Ben More but it adds 2 miles and 2000 feet of ascent to the route.

Continue with the planned walk now by returning to the previous peak of Stob Coire nan Lochan (GR NN438221) and turn east (bearing about71°T) at the summit to scramble down among some small crags to the lochan 500 feet below. Follow a ruined wall to the base of some rocks to climb the rocks and find the summit cairn of Meall na Dige (NN451226 3140 feet) a little way to the north. If weather stays clear some great photo opportunity here looking back to Stobinian.

From Meall na Dige head SouthEast along an undulating ridge (beware crags to west side) for about 1.5 miles to the summit cairnof Meal Monachyle (NN466206 2100 feet). Great views here to Balquhidder Glen and the Inverlochlarig hills.