Ben Lui and Coire Laoigh from Tyndrum

Oliver O'Brien

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This walk climbs one of Scotland’s highest mountains, Ben Lui (1130m.) The approach is up the long and scenic Cononish Glen, the mountain is climbed from the most spectacular side (the North East) and the descent is by its largest and straightest corrie, Coire Laoigh, before returning back along the glen to Tyndrum. The walk finishes with a short but scenic section of the West Highland Way.

The walk starts from Tyndrum Lower Station, cutting around a broad flank of Colan (590m) before descending into the unnamed glen through which the River Cononish flows. The route passes right up the glen, with dramatic views of Ben Lui straight ahead. The route here climbs only very gradually, passing by Cononish farm and the huge goldmine.

After crossing Allt an Rund, Ben Lui is ascended directly up the North East face, bearing to the right ridge once in Coire Gaothach. The summit (1130m) is directly above the corrie and the glen is a full 750m below. Descent is via the long south ridge, with an optional detour to climb Beinn Chleibh (one for the Munro baggers only, the detour is 1 hour and 4km only but very tedious.)

Route finding is very important here as this area is exceedingly remote. The route then descends sharply (and slightly to the right) into the head of Coire Laiogh, which is dead straight for 3km. The route stays to the left of the Allt Coire Laoigh after passing the initial difficulties, and then bears left to rejoin the outgoing route in Cononish's glen.

There is a slight variation at the end – instead of climbing the flank of Colan again, the route continues down the glen, past an exceptionally beautiful ancient Caledonian pine forest (Coille Coire Chuilc,) before picking up the West Higland Way, back to Tyndrum. This last variation is only slightly longer than the inward route and has considerably less climbing.

Scotland - Central Scotland - Stirling - Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

Features

Birds, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Mountains, Munro, Pub, Public Transport, River
6/17/2007 - michael kelly

Completed this walk combining Beinn a` Chleibh yesterday unfortunatly no views from the top of Ben Lui, we did enjoy the bit of exposure near the top but could not see down into the central gully. Combining both hills made this a long 10hrs but worth it.