|
|
 |
|
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 |
|
1126 m (3694 ft)
|
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).
| Grid Ref. |
|
NN06963047
|
|
|
|
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
| Stature |
|
31 of 283 Munros |
|
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
| Routes |
|
1
|
|
|
|
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.
| Meaning |
|
Stacked hill |
|
| |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Only £6.29 (£11.69 Laminated) from |  |
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
Hazards you may encounter on Ben Cruachan include
|
| Steep slopes on or near ascent routes. |
|
| Crags on or near ascent routes. |
|
| Crags near summit. |
|
|
| |
|
General Considerations
|
| Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent. |
|
| Wind usually increases with altitude. |
|
| Visibility can change markedly with cloud level. |
|
| River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Cruachan from ridge to Drochaid Ghlas on a clear October day.
© Bernie Allen
|
|
Image by Bernie Allen
|
|
Mull and Ben More viewed from the summit of Ben Cruachan at sunset (October 07)
© Alan Morris
|
|
Image by Alan Morris
|
|
Paul climbing Stob Diamh from main ridge.July 2009.
© Bruce Donachie
|
|
Image by Bruce Donachie
|
|
Ben Cruachan viewed from Loch Etive on a fine winters day
© Lorna Oldershaw
|
|
Image by Lorna Oldershaw
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ascent
|
Distance
|
Time
|
Including...
|
Description
|
Rating
|
|
|
1
|
1904 m
|
19.99 km
|
7.5 hrs
|
Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh
|
Moderate climb on mixed terrain. Ben Cruachan is an excellent mountain with a craggy summit, but no scrambling is required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
John and Roy at the top. Honest it is Ben Cruachan. 1st Feb 2010
© John Forster
|
|
Image by John Forster
|
|
Summit of Ben Cruachan in lovely sunshine 17/10/2009
© john wells
|
|
Image by john wells
|
|
me on Ben Cruchan my 50th Munro!!!!
© mackenzie barker
|
|
Image by mackenzie barker
|
|
Me and Tam atop Ben Cruachan, 12 Sept 2009. A fantastic day, beautiful sunshine for the whole Horseshoe walk.
© Michael Hill
|
|
Image by Michael Hill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| Showing the most recent 5 of 9 comments. Would you like to view all 9? |
|
|
Bruce Donachie
wrote on
July 12, 2009
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Michael Coffield
wrote on
May 10, 2009
|
White out, blizzards and knee deep snow! The impression was that it could have been a great walk if the conditions had been better. Steep start through a very attractive native woodland (quite young!) with a surprising variety of fauna. The ascent up the corrie was loose in places. The ridge was narrow, sheet granite under the snow made it hard going. Navigation in the conditions was tricky - not sure, but I get the feeling this may also be true in better weather. The ridge was very up and down. Intended to do Beinn Eunaich also, but having nearly ended up in Glen Noe twice, retraced steps off
|
|
|
|
Craig Robinson
wrote on
August 30, 2006
|
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.
|
|
|
|
David Harbottle
wrote on
June 7, 2006
|
A magnificient mountain - one of the best in Scotland IMHO.
The standard circuit from lochawe, over Cruachan and Stob Diamh is straigtforward, but save it for a good day for the stunning views over most of the Highlands and Islands.
|
|
|
|
Fiona Johnstone
wrote on
May 6, 2006
|
Went up on a beautiful clear day with my husband in May - our second attempt after getting 3/4 of the way up in low cloud base the day before. The views from the top are spectacular and if I was brave I would like to get across the ridge to Stob Diamh. A good walk with some boggy and rough patches on the way.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
