Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh Route Information

Home Glossary

Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh

Quick Facts

This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.

Total Ascent

1904 m

An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.

Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.

Route Time

7.5 hrs

The horizontal distance of the route.

Route Distance

19.99 km

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.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required

50	Glen Orchy & Loch Etive

Only £6.29 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

Moderate climb on mixed terrain. Ben Cruachan is an excellent mountain with a craggy summit, but no scrambling is required.

Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.

We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.

Travel Information

Head to: Lochawe

At Lochawe village (A85) park to commence route.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 1,904 metres. Allow 7.5 hours to complete this 19.99 km route.

In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.

The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.

Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.

The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.

Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.

Route Information

Waypoint Detail

	Park your car in Lochawe village SW of St Conan's Kirk
		NN11442670	Distance	Altitude 90 m

1	Follow path W towards the Falls of Cruachan
		NN08542686	Distance 3.25 km	Altitude 250 m

2	Continue on path NNW to dam
		NN08152810	Distance 1.42 km	Altitude 390 m

3	Cross to west shore of dam and continue N on road
		NN08242942	Distance 1.75 km	Altitude 430 m

4	Leave road close to its termination and ascend WNW to col (825m)
		NN06952980	Distance 1.49 km	Altitude 825 m

5	Ascend N on winding path to summit of Ben Cruachan
		NN06963047	Distance 0.90 km	Altitude 1126 m

6	Descend E and follow curving ridge
		NN07853041	Distance 0.91 km	Altitude 950 m

7	Continue NE to summit of Drochaid Ghlas
		NN08333073	Distance 0.64 km	Altitude 1009 m

8	Continue E on ridge to summit of Stob Diamh
		NN09473085	Distance 1.26 km	Altitude 998 m

9	Head S to Stob Garbh
		NN09543024	Distance 0.64 km	Altitude 980 m

10	Descend S to col (730m) north of Beinn a' Bhuirdh
		NN09532886	Distance 1.45 km	Altitude 730 m

11	Continue descent W turning SW to join track by water side.
		NN08292824	Distance 1.55 km	Altitude 400 m

12	Head S to join ascent route and return
		NN11442670	Distance 4.75 km	Altitude 90 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)

West Highlands
by Met Office

Ben Cruachan
by Metcheck

Images of Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh

Looking west to Ben Cruachan (and Mull beyond) from near the summit of Stob Daimh - Late May 2006.

Image by David Harbottle

Ben Cruachan peak with the RAF Rescue helicopter in the foreground having just lifted an injured climber

Image by Dane Ralston

Cruachan Ridge from Beinn a Chochuill 22.04.08

Image by Andy Clark

Showing the descent route from Stob Diamh to Stob Garbh.

Image by Bob Walls

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

Where to Stay

We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 8 votes

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by Sc Joss on 10 May 2010:

Having done it clockwise from the road below dam, I can see the point of going anticlockwise- better view- although this will leave you with quite a long/steep descent from summit of BC. depends on whether you like to go up steep or down steep. The main thing- do it on a clear day, it would be a real shame not to get any view at all!!

Written by Craig Dunderdale on 02 Aug 2008:

Great Horseshoe, don't get locked in the Hydo Car park, park on the main road. Steep initially but levels out at Hydro Damn, I did it anti clockwise and really enjoyed it, no difficulties 6.5hrs.

Written by Carl Sugden on 28 May 2003:

A classic horseshoe and a great ridge. You get a good view of the entire ridge by taking in the Corbett Beinn a Buridh at the start of the east-west traverse. A good day out.

Written by Derrick Graham on 01 Apr 2003:

An excellent day out with the reward of a fine ridge walk and views west to Mull as well as the usual inspiring vistas to North, East and South. As a variation start from under the dam -some parking on the A85 if you are early. Its a steep pull at first before levelling out to the dam, then do the route anti clockwise thus saving Ben Cruachan to the end of the ridge-its well worth it although you may be walking into the weather. There are no real difficulties although care should be taken on the ridge in poor weather conditions.

Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map, a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.

Cookie Policy