Scotland

Ben Vorlich and Ben Vane: Arrochar Alps

Character: A grinding walk with two big ascents. Straightforward.

Ascent: 5000 feet

Time: 5-6 hours (longer in Winter)

Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50:000, Sheet 56

The walk in starts near Inverglas, by the western banks of Loch Lomond, 317 093

Ben Vane

The walk starts with a pleasant stroll up the dam service road, heading west from the A82. This is followed all the way to the dam, and from here one heads WSW up the steep slopes until a plateau is reached at about 650 m. From here a pull south will bring you up between Ben Vanes two tops . Head west to hit the higher western top, and one of Scotland's lowest Munros. The descent described is to follow the ridge from the summit, that heads first WNW then progressively more N towards the small lochan at 273105. From here, the watercourse exiting at the eastern end of the lochan can be followed to descend to Loch Sloy. The banks of the loch are not too steep, and can be contoured round a few hundred yards until the dam is reached at the southern end.

Ben Vorlich

The continuation to Ben Vorlich is straightforward, though hard work. After crossing the dam, continue up the valley side in the direction of the dam. Eventually you will hit the summit ridge, with a path visible heading northwards, just on the Loch Sloy side of the ridge. After ten minutes or so the trig point is reached, then just further on is the cairned top of Ben Vorlich. This has wonderful views all around, and to The Crianlarich hills to the NE. For the descent, one can follow the entire summit ridge SSE, over the many subsidiary tops and back down on to the tracks that brought you in.