Ben Vorlich is a large, complicated mountain, with ridges running to the SSE, east, ENE, NE and north of the mountain. This route follows the two most attractive ridges – it ascends by the east 'Little Hills' ridge and descends by the NE 'Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain' ridge. The walk starts at Ardlui. After a short roadside section south, it passes through Stuckendroin Farm and heads up south-west through rough pastureland to the obvious ridge of Stuc na Nughinn. After passing several small knolls the route reaches the first of the Little Hills, upon which is possibly the best view of the walk, with the whole of Loch Lomond visible. The walk continues west over the second Little Hill and drops very steeply to the col before Ben Vorlich proper. This drop requires great care to avoid several crags. The final pull to the top of the mountain first ascends surprisingly to the right of a set of crags, with a final section over easier terrain to the trig point at 941m and the true summit, perched on crags, at 943m. The view to the south-west is particularly impressive here; Ben Vane is prominent (this is another Walkingworld walk). It is a short walk to the North Summit (931m) and then the descent is made, first by going NNW to avoid the cliffs at the top of Coire Creagach and then NE down an obvious ridge, to the col of Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain, before dropping into the valley (with impressive views of the ascent route) and finishing through pleasant deciduous woodland and then rough pastureland, back to the shores of Loch Lomond.

Scotland - Argyll & Bute - Loch Lomond

View a road map to the starting point of this walk.