Ben Vorlich (Lomond) Circular Route from Ardlui

This route starts just before Stuckendroin Farm near Ardlui, at the farm taking a right through the gate marked “Access to Ben Vorlich” starting our ascent to the Little Hills, via Stuc na Nughinn and then to Ben Vorlich. Then descending by the north-east ridge, completing a horseshoe circuit of Coire Creagach, Stob-nan Coinnich Bhacain then back down to Stuckendroin Farm. This is a little more demanding than the other routes on Vorlich but the views are spectacular of Loch Lomond throughout.

Terrain: Mixed terrain: some pathless sections, some boggy parts, some scrambling and care avoiding vertical drops in bad weather.

Distance: 10 km, duration 6 – 7 hrs, total ascent 1032m to max ht. 943m.

Start point: Parking slightly opposite Stuckendroin Farm at the verge on other side of the road. Distance from H’burgh: 24 miles.

OS Map 56 / old Explorer 364 new 39, grid ref: NN 323146.

Starts at

Parking slightly opposite Stuckendroin Farm at the verge on other side of the road. OS Map 56 / Explorer 364, grid ref: NN 323146.

Ends at

Stuckendroin Farm at the verge on other side of the road.

Getting there

There is a Ardlui railway station which leaves Glasgow Queen Street at 08:21 Monday to Saturday, Sunday it seems to not run a good service. The Journey takes 1 hour 29 minutes arriving at 09:50. (Please check timings as they may change over time)

Diving from Glasgow is 49.6 miles away with 1 hr 7 min driving but when the road works start at the end of the year it might be best taking the train.

Route instructions

[1] Starting at the gate with a sign saying “Access to Ben Vorlich” head through and diagonally cross the field to a couple of gates and go through the underpass of the railway line. Once through you will see a light path that will go in a South West direction.

[2] At around NN316142 you will begin the tough climbing take a south direction towards Stuc na Nughinn.

[3] At Stuc na Nughinn it get complicated with lots of wangling through and over small crags but keep to a South West direction towards the Little Hills.

[4] At the hight of 793m with a little scrambling and head West to point height 808m you will have reached the Little Hills with some great views. Keep going west towards the summit cairn on Ben Vorlich at a height of 941m

[5] Heading North West slightly to Ben Vorlich highest point at 943 is the start of the decent but make you keep to the left to get a safer way down.

[6] As you go down the highest point of the ridge you bypass Coire Creagach head North down to the bealach at 560m.

[7] Then your last climb up to Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain, at 674m.

[8] From to Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain take a sharp East direction descend down to a height of 300m through the crags and gullies and take your time in bad weather. From 300m head a South East Direction towards a small stream at a 100m

[9] Crossing the stream you’re nearly back at the railway underpass just walk round the sheep fold and you will see the gates to the underpass.

Additional ‘Point of Interest’ information

(A) Magnificent views from Stuc na Nughinn. Walking and viewing ahead is the Little Hills with the two minor tops sitting at 793m and 808m.

(B) Small lochan situated at the 763m

(C) Start of the decent, keeping left will give you safer route down bypassing above Coire Creagach.

(D) Start of a difficult decent down to height 350m it’s imperative that your careful in bad weather.

Notes

Terrain: Mixed terrain: some pathless sections, some boggy parts, some scrambling and care avoiding vertical drops in bad weather.

Distance: 10 km, duration 6 – 7 hrs, total ascent 1032m to max ht. 943m.

Maps: OS Map 56 /old Explorer 364 new 39, Start Point grid ref: NN 323146.

Eating and Drinking: The Drovers Inn, Inverarnan By Ardlui, G83 7DX