Ben More & Stobinian Walk
Length: 10 Miles circular (8 hours)
Start: Car park west of burn about 5 m east of Crianlarich (GR 455276)
Difficult - very difficult in winter - one or two exposed scrambles. Height 3843 ft & 3823 ft + 2 other peaks over 3000ft.
This is one of the classics - the highest mountain in its group between GlenDochart and Balquhidder Glen with spectacular views in all directions . A path has now been created from the small carpark, through the woods to the open area at the foot of Coir Chaorach beside the burn - this has simplified the once complex route through the woods.
This walk takes you over the 3000 foot mark 4 times and winter conditions may be seen here 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!
Once on this route there is no easy escape although Balquhidder Glen can be reached via the south shoulder of Meal na Dige from a point just west of the summit. This leaves you with difficulty in returning to the north side. If you are unprepared for one or two exposed scrambles, make the simpler linear ascent from Benmore farm.
The Route
Park your car well off the road on in the small carpark west of the burn GR 455276 about 5 mile east of Crianlarich. The access at the rear of the car park is marked by a signpost 'To Ben More'.
Follow this track right up through the woods - about 1.5 mile. Note the exit point from the woods for your return
Turn left from the woods and head south-ish across the corrie toward Stob Creagach. The easiest way is to follow the buggy track to the deer fence at the stile then veer SE. Be careful not to give yourself problems by climbing the small summit which masks the ridge. Head for the ovbious summit of Stob Creagach then follow down the long ridge and onto the bealach with the knobbly hump. After passing this hump, scramble up the tricky rocks now facing you - the right side is easiest but exposed - then head up to Meal Na Dige.
Follow the easy ill defined track which zig zags down the north shoulder of Stobinian to Bealach Eadar na Beinn then continue up to the summit of Ben More. Some awkward scrambling near the summit may be avoided by circling a little way right avoiding the rocks in the direct line, then pass the lochan to ascend Stob Coire an Lochan then on to the peak of Stobinian. Stay clear of the dangerous drop to your right here and also after passing Stobinian's summit.
At the summit you can see a great chunk of Scotland - starting in the south , Ben Vane, Ben Ledi, BenOur, Stuc a Chroin, Ben Vorlich, then moving round to the east, Loch Tay disappears into the distance with Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas and Tarmachan ridge on its north shore. Away to the north are the hills beyond Rannoch moor then the Glencoe mountains come into view in the far distance before coming round to Ben Lui and Cruachan with its 4 peaks to the northwest. Further round now to the west and southwest you see Ben Vorlich (Lomond side) Ben Vane and finally Ben Lomond.
From Ben More summit take a bearing of about 45 ยบ to access the NE shoulder. Care will be needed on the scrambles down a couple of rocky outcrops - these may cause serious difficulty in icy conditions. Continue down the shoulder to meet a new fence which you can now follow to the stile and back through the woods
Start: Car park west of burn about 5 m east of Crianlarich (GR 455276)
Difficult - very difficult in winter - one or two exposed scrambles. Height 3843 ft & 3823 ft + 2 other peaks over 3000ft.
This is one of the classics - the highest mountain in its group between GlenDochart and Balquhidder Glen with spectacular views in all directions . A path has now been created from the small carpark, through the woods to the open area at the foot of Coir Chaorach beside the burn - this has simplified the once complex route through the woods.
This walk takes you over the 3000 foot mark 4 times and winter conditions may be seen here 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!
Once on this route there is no easy escape although Balquhidder Glen can be reached via the south shoulder of Meal na Dige from a point just west of the summit. This leaves you with difficulty in returning to the north side. If you are unprepared for one or two exposed scrambles, make the simpler linear ascent from Benmore farm.
The Route
Park your car well off the road on in the small carpark west of the burn GR 455276 about 5 mile east of Crianlarich. The access at the rear of the car park is marked by a signpost 'To Ben More'.
Follow this track right up through the woods - about 1.5 mile. Note the exit point from the woods for your return
Turn left from the woods and head south-ish across the corrie toward Stob Creagach. The easiest way is to follow the buggy track to the deer fence at the stile then veer SE. Be careful not to give yourself problems by climbing the small summit which masks the ridge. Head for the ovbious summit of Stob Creagach then follow down the long ridge and onto the bealach with the knobbly hump. After passing this hump, scramble up the tricky rocks now facing you - the right side is easiest but exposed - then head up to Meal Na Dige.
Follow the easy ill defined track which zig zags down the north shoulder of Stobinian to Bealach Eadar na Beinn then continue up to the summit of Ben More. Some awkward scrambling near the summit may be avoided by circling a little way right avoiding the rocks in the direct line, then pass the lochan to ascend Stob Coire an Lochan then on to the peak of Stobinian. Stay clear of the dangerous drop to your right here and also after passing Stobinian's summit.
At the summit you can see a great chunk of Scotland - starting in the south , Ben Vane, Ben Ledi, BenOur, Stuc a Chroin, Ben Vorlich, then moving round to the east, Loch Tay disappears into the distance with Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas and Tarmachan ridge on its north shore. Away to the north are the hills beyond Rannoch moor then the Glencoe mountains come into view in the far distance before coming round to Ben Lui and Cruachan with its 4 peaks to the northwest. Further round now to the west and southwest you see Ben Vorlich (Lomond side) Ben Vane and finally Ben Lomond.
From Ben More summit take a bearing of about 45 ยบ to access the NE shoulder. Care will be needed on the scrambles down a couple of rocky outcrops - these may cause serious difficulty in icy conditions. Continue down the shoulder to meet a new fence which you can now follow to the stile and back through the woods