Ben Ledi Hillwalk

Ben Ledi is partly rough walking with steep sections and many 'false summits'.

A serious walk in winter conditions - allow double time. In fresh drifted snow the track can be impassible. The headwall of the corrie to the east of the summit ridge forms a dangerous cornice after heavy snow - keep well clear. Make sure you have a map, compass and know how to use them if any doubt of visibility.

Ben Ledi is not a ‘Munro’ but is in a prominent position on the southern edge of the Highlands and can therefore be seen from many parts of the southern Highlands in Scotland's National Park.

The Route

The traditional route is from Stank car park (about 3 miles north Callander on A84, turn left at the 'Forest Cabins' sign to cross a metal bridge). This route is well marked and visible all the way to the top. If planning to go all the way over to return by Stank Glen, be aware that the right turn off the Bealach nan Corp IS NOT MARKED and is easily missed. If you find the track rising gently, or pass a small lochan you have missed the turn and will end up on Ben Vane if you don't turn around!

Take the wide gravelled path signposted to 'Ben Ledi' which starts at the metal bridge and climb steeply through plantation for about half a mile to exit the woods and continue at the other side of a timber track. Another half mile and a long flight of rough stone steps takes you into a dip to cross the burn and a stile where the engineered track ends at height about 1500 feet with Ben Ledi in full view in front of you.

After crossing the stile the rough track veers SSE and climbs fairly steeply below craggy outcrops, don't be tempted to short-cut up the crags as they are steeper than they look and dangerous. Half a mile past the stile the track climbs suddenly to the right and doubles back to climb approx NW for one mile up the long east shoulder to the summit. Be warned there are 3 false summits!

At the Ben Ledi summit the view to the south east over Callander extends past Stirling and the Wallace monument and the Ochil hills to the Firth of Forth and Kincardine bridge and beyond.

A little west of south and about 16 miles away is the distinctive lump of Dumgoyne hill at the end of the Campsie hills with the high-rise towers of Glasgow beyond. A little further west and on a clear day the firth of Clyde and Goat Fell on Arran may be seen.

Further round to the west, behind Ben Venue, is Ben Lomond, and now almost due west, The Cobbler (looking as if it has two horns) and the Arrochar Alps.

A little west of north west, and about 20 miles distant is the distinctive peak of Ben Lui with its huge corrie, and 12 miles to the north west beyond Ben Vane are the Crianlarich peaks including the distinctive twins of Ben More and Stobinian.

20 miles away to the NNE is the Lawers range and Tarmachan Ridge, then round to the north west and a mere 7 miles distand is Stuc a Chroin, Ben Vorlich, and slightly closer, Ben Each.

Closer still, to the east below Ben Ledi is Loch Lubnaig, to the south Loch Venachar and Achray, and to the west is Glen Finglas, and a glimps of Loch Katrine and in the distance, Loch Arklet. You can now return by the same track.

OR

Continue from the summit of Ben Ledi in a generally northerly direction along the ridge past the ragged summit of Creag Coire na Fuaire then to follow an old fence for less than a mile to Bealach nan Corp (the pass of the dead - an old coffin road), approx GR558 110. Turn right here ( if the ground starts to rise again you have missed the turn off and you'll end up on Ben Vane) to follow a rough track down beside the burn for about half a mile to cross a stile and join a newly formed gravel path.

Keep to the left (don't take a path joining on the right) and cross a burn by huge stepping stones. A little further down this path, re-cross the burn by a bridge and continue down the track with the burn on your left. Drop down to join a forest road wher you turn right for just a few yards before turning left onto a track beside the burn heading down into the woods.

About 200 yards down the path a splendid waterfall is on the left. Continue down the path to another forest track, but turn off almost immediately to the left to pass through a little more woodland before joining a timber road leading down to the riverside. Join the riverside pathway and head downstream for about 3/4 mile to the carpark.

In good conditions, Ben Ledi is a relatively easy and enjoyable climb on an engineered path then rough track and mountain grasses with some slightly squelchy peat beds to the summit of Ben Ledi.

On your way back you might like to stop at The Lade Inn at Kilmahog near Callander for a bite to eat an a small refreshments.