A striking pair of conical peaks, the massive Ben More and Stob Binnein are a bit of a slog from any direction. While they may be more often recommended from the Crianlarich side, the alternative from the picturesque Balquhidder glen has a lot to recommend it, with a cracking bit of ridge walking on the southern approach to Stob Binnein. To avoid having to climb Stob Binnein twice, turn the obvious out-and-back route into more of a circuit via the Inverlochlarig Glen, a rugged return that's likely to be a lot lonelier than the hills above.
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Height Profile
metres / Distance
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Detailed description
1
NN4458618476 Across the road form the car park, the northbound ascent path is obvious. Follow the well-worn trail as it climbs the steep lower slopes head-on, before it kinks left and then back right to skirt Stob Invercarnaig. Having crossed a burn, the path turns north again, climbing to the broad grassy shoulder at the end of Stob Binnein's south ridge. Climb more steadily north to a minor summit at 890m.
2
NN4430820601 Beyond a small saddle the ridge, here called Na Staidhrichean, takes on a narrower, more sculpted shape, giving an enjoyable ascent to the top of Stob Coire an Lochain. In winter conditions the right edge overlooking the corrie can often be corniced.
3
NN4383522078 Descend gently north-northwest to a col, then follow the ridge crest up towards Stob Binnein. The final summit slopes are comparatively steep, and may need care in icy conditions. Being so tall, yet relatively close to the edge of the highlands, Stob Binnein offers expansive views. Southwards from here, there's no higher ground in the British Isles.
4
NN4347522733 The descent north is quite steady, but again needs some care (and crampons) if it's icy. On about the 1050m contour, trend a little left to safely skirt above the steep broken ground of Creagan Dubha. You'll have lost a lot of height at the big level col of the Bealach-eadar dha Bheinn (literally: the pass between the hills). In good weather you might be tempted to stash packs here - a massive boulder is the obvious spot. Grassy at first, and then rockier as you gain height, the ascent of Ben More (big hill) is a bit of a plod. 5
NN4327024410 Retrace your steps south to the col, and then from the vicinity of the big boulder look out for the well-used path that descends right (west). This soon follows a burn downhill towards the Benmore Glen. To avoid descending all the way to the floor of the glen, cut off left as opportunity affords, to make a pathless descending traverse towards the pass at the head of the glen. This is rough going, with several little burn cuttings to cross.
6
NN4216022643 From the pass descend south into the Inverlochlarig Glen. The broad head of the glen is quite boggy, and at first there's little trace of a path. Beyond a narrowing in the glen, descend a little more steeply into the broader lower glen, passing below the craggy flanks of Cruach Ardrain and Stob Binnein. Cross to the right (west) side of the burn, and pick through the bogs and hummocks to reach a vehicle track. This leads easily down to Inverlochlarig.
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Difficulty: DifficultDistance: 9.20 miles (14.80 km)
Total ascent: 1,357m
Time: 6 – 7 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Inverlochlarig car park at the end of the public road west of Balquhidder, NN445185
Nearest town:
Callander
Terrain:
The hill stage is all on clear paths, with a few steep ascents and some enjoyable but straightforward ridge walking. The low-level return leg described here is a lot rougher, and for the first couple of kilometres there's no path to speak of; expect boggy ground, but nothing outrageous.
Seasonal variations:
Thanks to their altitude, Ben More and Stob Binnein readily attract winter conditions, and are quite often more snowy than the lower surrounding hills. The south ridge of Stob Binnein can be heavily corniced, while in icy conditions the summit slopes of both peaks are steep enough to need care.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Southeastern Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
No bus to Inverlochlarig
Guidebooks:
The Munros (SMC)
Maps:
OS Explorer 365 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 56 (1:50,000), OS Landranger 57 (1:50,000), OS Landranger 51 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Tyndrum (08452 255 121); Tarbet (Loch Lomond) (08707 200 623); Killin (08707 200 627)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023
- Loch Ossian round - Seven Munros by Train 15 Sep, 2023
General question about Route cards... is it possible to download them from UKH?
Thanks
Always my favourite way to visit these two, I usually take the punishment of a return over Stob Binnein but once took the Glen one gloomy January. It was truly like a Bruegel painting.
It’s nice and for the keen you can do a logical 4 Munro circuit as well.
However I prefer Dan’s other route which feels more logical https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=189
Yup, did that one clockwise a long time ago and I recall it taking an age to get above the 3000 foot plimsoll line! We got back to the car in the dark, to a civil hello from the Crianlarich polis...