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This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
| Altitude |
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1126 m (3694 ft)
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This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.
Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.
NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).
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NN06963047
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An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
| Stature |
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31 of 282 Munros |
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The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
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1
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Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
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Stacked hill |
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The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
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OS Landranger Maps Required |
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| 50 |
Glen Orchy & Loch Etive |
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Ben Cruachan is a long rocky ridge running mainly E-W but with many minor ridges on both the Glen Noe side and the Loch Awe side. The slopes of the main ridge are generally steep and craggy. On the main ridge there are two peaks ranked as Munros, Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh. N.B. "Ben Cruachan" refers to both the mountain and the highest top. The most common ascent route involves a circuit of Coire Cruachan with its water reservoir. Routes ascend Meall Cuanail, due S of Ben Cruachan or from the reservoir to the bealach between Ben Cruachan an Meall Cuanail. The ascent of Ben Cruachan is steep but easy as is the traverse to Stob Diamh. (see also Stob Diamh)
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Hazards you may encounter on Ben Cruachan include
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| Steep slopes on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags near summit. |
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General Considerations
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| Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent. |
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| Wind usually increases with altitude. |
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| Visibility can change markedly with cloud level. |
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| River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day. |
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The east ridge of Ben Cruachan, leading to Stob Diamh (Munro), Stob Garbh and ultimately Beinn a' Bhuird (Corbett), on a beautiful day in September 2009.
© Michael Hill
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Image by Michael Hill
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Looking down length of ridge, from main Cruachan summit.
© Bruce Donachie
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Image by Bruce Donachie
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The "Taynuilt Peak", Stob Dearg, seen from the main summit.
© Peter Burgess
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Image by Peter Burgess
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Ben Cruachan group, from Beinn Eunaich 31/12/08
© john wells
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Image by john wells
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Ascent
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Distance
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Time
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Including...
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Description
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Rating
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1
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1904 m
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19.99 km
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7.5 hrs
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Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh
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Moderate climb on mixed terrain. Ben Cruachan is an excellent mountain with a craggy summit, but no scrambling is required.
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Ben Cruachan May'11
© Mike Blake
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Image by Mike Blake
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Our Group of 6 plus the 2 Labradors Bo and Indie at the top of Ben Cruachan on a beautiful, cloudless spring day
© Patrick Spens
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Image by Patrick Spens
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Me at summit of Ben Cruachan 05/03/11
© James Seaman
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Image by James Seaman
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the top of Ben Cruachan
© Allan Stephen
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Image by Allan Stephen
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 11 comments. Would you like to view all 11? |
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James Corrigan
wrote on
October 17, 2010
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Started East of Loch Awe on the B8077 where this a large ugly scar well up Alt Coire Ghlais.Not sure what the work is but it is not pretty.Headed directly for the buttress between Stob Garbh and Stob Diamh for a nice and steep scramble then on to the summit for truly outstanding views as far as Arran and Ben Nevis.West and down to the Munro top Drochaid Ghlass and then the steep pull up Ben Cruachan.Not before stopping to admire the large Coire on Cruachan.There is an Arete style scramble up the the pointy summit.We continued the day from here and took in the Corbett Beinn a Bhuiridh from Cruachan reservoir.
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Linda Smith
wrote on
August 26, 2010
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If starting from tunnel under Falls of Cruachan station don't miss the small footpath sharp left through bracken before you reach the top of the steps behind the station (next to start of pylon). This is a full day's walk needing plenty of stamina especially for the scramble at the top of Ben Cruachan (and for getting down again!). Choose a day with clear blue skies to take best advantage of spectacular views, but take care looking up as the mud, scree and rocks underfoot demand close attention! The walk up to the reservoir is also rewarding for those who don't want to go all the way.
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William Thomson
wrote on
August 9, 2010
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Take in all the 3000+ summits and Corbett in the one go, this makes for a good enjoyable walk!
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Bruce Donachie
wrote on
July 12, 2009
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I'm not sure where I read it (may have been McNeish's "The Monros") but "the traverse of the Cruachan ridge is the best walk in the Southern Highlands". I couldn't agree more! On a clear, if a little hazy, day, this was a fantastic walk where it is possible to take in 10 peaks (2 Monros, 1 Corbett + 7 just as attractive), if you didn't mind extending yourself to descending and re-ascending some of the smaller off shoot ridges, and a Corbett,with fantastic views all round, and nowhere near as hard or as exposed as it looks.
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Craig Robinson
wrote on
August 30, 2006
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Climbed Cruachan and Stob Daimh jan 06. Practically no snow on the tops. Strange! Started from tunnel under Falls of Cruachan station. There was a sign from the police warning of potential car crime. My car was intact when I returned seven hours later. Took the hills in a clock-wise route, ascending between Meall Cuanail and Ben Cruachan. Took in Ben Cruachan, Drochai Ghlas, Stob Daimh and Stob Garbh.Fantastic route, the ridge is narrow in places requiring concentration. Great fun though! Descended between Stob Garbh and Beinn a' Bhuiridh. Straightforward from here back to car.
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