Weekly Route - Ben Vorlich
Not a huge day but a good one on Ben Vorlich in the Arrochar Alps with great views of Loch Lomond thrown in alongside a Munro just waiting to be bagged.
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Ardlui > Ben Vorlich
> Ardlui
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Distance: 7 miles
(18.5Km)
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Height Gain: 3600 ft
(1100m)
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Overview: Part of the Arrochar Alps,
Ben Vorlich has great views over Loch Lomond and makes a
classic mountain circuit.
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Maps: Ordnance Survey: Explorer 364,
LR 56
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 3
Technicality: 1
Photogenic Grade: 3
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Start Point: NN
318 152
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Ben Vorlich is amongst the first signs that you're getting
into real mountain country as you head north. Part of the famous
Arrochar Alps, the mountain commands superb views over Loch Lomond.
This route takes you on a circuit from Ardlui, taking in both the
main peak of the Munro and the Little Hills to make the most of this
classic mountain. Although relatively short, the climb up from Ardlui
is sustained and steep.
Section 1 - Ardlui to Ben Vorlich
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Distance: 3.18miles
(5.12Km)
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Height Gain: 3346ft
(1020m)
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From the car park take the private road opposite to pass
Garristuck cottage. The road leads onto the open hillside where a
feint track heads off up the heathery slopes towards Stob an
Fhithich, skirting the trees on your left.
Once on the main ridge turn left to start the 700 ft climb up to
the summit of Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain. The views of Loch
Lomond down to the left open up as you climb a further 1000 ft along
the ridge to Ben Vorlich. The first cairn is the North Top,
and the summit itself is atop a small but obvious crag.
Section 2 - Ben Vorlich to Ardlui
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Distance: 2.9 miles
(4.6Km)
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Height Gain: 813ft
(248m)
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From the main summit go south to the OS trig point, then turn left
and descend to a col below two prominent tops. These tops are the
Little Hills, and you continue over these and onto the long
ridge heading northeast.
Probably the best views of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond are from
this ridge, which drops 800 ft to Stuc na Nughin. From here
continue down the ridge aiming for a small gap between the trees
ahead..
The path now loses a little of its steepness as it descends to
Stuckendroin Farm. From the farm a left turn and short walk up the
road will bring you back to your start point. Eat cake and feel
virtuous.
Discuss this story
In a day from Wakefield? Someone must have sponsored you! Once drove up to Loch Lomond area overnight from east of Bham. Seemed a good idea but really not recommended - kept dozing off, and by 3am I was mistaking motorway signs for the backs of lorries! Woke up in a lay by somewhere between Carlisle and Glasgow, to thick mist. At Loch Lomond at 10am there was a hint of brightness and fantastic autumn colours. Having had virtually no sleep set off to do the Arrochar munros. Stepped out of the cloud to fantastic Scotland wide views, with every valley full of mist. Descended, elated, in pitch dark, drove to Crianlarich and slept for fourteen hours!
Posted: 19/02/2006 at 22:29
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