It’s not just Ben Lomond that’s worth climbing in the area around the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Across the other side of Loch Lomond are the Arrochar Alps, containing the Munros of Beinn Narnain, Beinn Ime, Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich; though the best known hill of all in this area just falls short of Munro status – The Cobbler, also known as Ben Arthur.

To the north, and accessible from the A82 to Crianlarich and Tyndrum, are a whole series of interesting hills and a wonderland for the Munro-bagger. From the northern end of Loch Lomond, heading north, are Beinn Chabhair, An Caisteal, Beinn a’Chroin, Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean, whilst the big twins of Ben More and Stob Binnein sit just to the east of Crianlarich.

On the northeastern side of The Trossachs, to the south of Loch Earn, are the Munros of Stuc a’Chroin and yet another Ben Vorlich, not to be confused with the hill of the same name at Loch Lomond. Ben Ledi is a popular hill, on the western side of Loch Lubnaig, while Ben A’an and Ben Venue overlook Loch Katrine, the principal water supply for Glasgow and parts of the Scottish central belt.

Other hills worth exploring are the Conic Hill, accessible from the village of Balmaha on Loch Lomondside; another Ben Vane (not a Munro) sitting between Loch Katrine and Loch Voil; and A’Chrois over near Arrochar.

Ben A’an, The Trossachs.

You will need a strong and sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots, with a good tough sole that has proper grips, and good ankle support. It is a good idea to wear thick woollen socks under these for comfort and protection.

Rather than wearing just one upper body garment, it is advisable to go for several layers – start with a base layer that is thin and thermal, sitting close to the skin – avoid cotton as this will tend to absorb sweat and become cold and uncomfortable. Perhaps a microfleece or similar garment can be put on top, and then a further warm item (preferably woollen) on top in cooler weather. All of this should be under a waterproof and windproof jacket. You can adjust your layers and wear more or less as weather and conditions dictate.

You should take a map (in a waterproof cover) and compass, and be proficient in the use of the compass. A survival bag is a good idea to deal with unexpected emergencies, so is an emergency whistle and headtorch or flashlight. You should also take matches, emergency food rations, and in winter you should consider carrying a sleeping bag, waterproof liner and thick and warm hat and gloves. If the ground is icy or winter conditions are prevailing, you should take extra care and use an ice axe and crampons if necessary – you should be proficient in the use of both of these, preferably having undergone a certified winter mountain training course, before attempting to use them on the hill.

You will need a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots to tackle Ben Lomond.

Ben Lomond (Route 1 – from Rowardennan): Vital Statistics

Starting point: Rowardennan, Loch Lomond

Total ascent: 990 metres

Time for ascent and descent: 4-6 hours

Total distance: approx. 4.5 miles

Winter information: If you are attempting Ben Lomond in winter conditions, you must take an ice axe and crampons, and have knowledge and experience of how to use them properly.

Start from the car park at Rowardennan, on the eastern banks of Loch Lomond. The main ascent path up Ben Lomond starts from just behind the Information Centre, and is clearly marked. The initial stages are through woodland – this path can be particularly muddy in wet weather. You will then go through a clearing in the forest, and you will shortly cross a track, and you should continue on uphill

You will then come upon a small bridge, which you should cross and further on you should go through a gate which leads onto the open hillside. You have your first views on Ben Lomond from here – cloud permitting! Follow the path uphill, and you will soon go through another gate. Keep to the main path, as treading on its perimeter will damage efforts to reduce erosion on the hill. You will soon see the main peak of Ben Lomond.

Follow the main path up the broad ridge of Ben Lomond. There is a final steep climb as the path goes up the final ascent to the summit ridge, levels off, and curves around the spectacular eastern corrie of the mountain.

Congratulations on reaching the top of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro! There are excellent views from the top of the mountain in all directions. To the west you have the hills of Argyll and Kintyre, and the far off islands of Jura and Islay. To the north you have a jumble of peaks, including the hills of Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy, the Black Mount, the peaks of Glen Coe and stretching up to the Grey Corries and the mountains around Ben Nevis. One of the prominent peaks you will see is Ben Lui, usually climbed from Tyndrum and now famous for being situated close to the proposed Cononish Gold Mining project. To the east you have the beautiful Trossachs region, covered by the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Immediately to the south and south west is Loch Lomond, the largest inland body of freshwater in the whole of the UK, and to the south you can also see the Campsie Fells (affectionately known by locals as the Campsies), and over that ridge of hills is the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow.

From the top, you can either retrace your steps back down the broad ridge of Ben Lomond to the car park at Rowardennan, or you can opt for a more difficult and adventurous alternative which goes down to the top of Ptarmigan (731 metres).

Rowardennan, near the start of the main ascent path of Ben Lomond.

For the latter route, follow the path North-West from the summit of Ben Lomond and descend very steeply to the col, afterwards turning South-West to Ptarmigan. Follow the narrow and rocky path down the ridge. Don’t go all the way down to the bottom of the ridge, however, for approximately two-thirds of the way down the ridge, the path drops down off the ridge to descend below some crags.

Further on, you will go through a gate, and the path steepens considerably. Just before you reach the top of the woodland, go left through another gate and descend beside the burn, and then down through the woodland until you arrive at the road. Turn left at the road and follow it along behind the Youth Hostel, which you can follow to the car park at Rowardennan, or alternatively go down a path beside Loch Lomond itself to find a war memorial beside the loch.

Ben Lomond (Route 2 – from Loch Chon)

This is a much longer route from the east, and its initial stages are probably best tackled with a mountain bike.

Just to the south of Loch Chon, in the Trossachs to the west of Aberfoyle (past Loch Ard), is Loch Dhu. A track starts from here which heads west, and it can be followed up to its highest point and then down into Gleann Dubh. A mile or so further on you will cross a bridge over Abhainn Gaoithe, and then another over the Caorainn Achaidh Burn. After this second bridge, leave the track behind and go through a gate, heading uphill in a South-Westerly direction. There is no path here and you will be heading up the North-East flank of Loch Lomond. You will eventually join with the main path coming up from Rowardennan, which can be followed up to the summit of Ben Lomond.

To descend, either retrace your steps, or alternatively descend North-West and then, after a few minutes, leave the path behind to head in a North-Easterly direction. You can follow the Northern flank of Ben Lomond and then head down into Gleann Dubh, once again picking up the track which heads back to Loch Dhu. This route is much more difficult and remote than the main path from Rowardennan, so please make sure you are properly prepared if you are choosing to take the route from near Loch Chon.

Safety first

No matter what route you take up Ben Lomond, be aware that you should not estimate the mountain or the very changeable weather it is subjected to. Do not be particularly surprised if you get sunshine, rain, snow, fog and any combination of these on the same day!

You must be prepared for the terrain and for these weather changes. You should only climb in sturdy hiking or climbing boots, and you must take waterproofs and emergency supplies. Also take plenty of food and water – it is generally safe to drink from mountain streams, which are usually very clean, but you do so at your own risk. A map, compass, and proficiency in their use, is a necessity.

Always check the mountain weather forecast before you head into the hills, and if it is winter or there has been any snow falling or forecast, you should also check the avalanche forecast. It is your responsibility to ensure you minimise the chances of an emergency which endangers the lives of Mountain Rescue teams as well as your own.

Ben Lomond is most feasibly reached by car, and you will find on this page travel directions by road from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. The nearest train station is at Balloch, but this is a significant distance from Ben Lomond, and there are no bus services running to Rowardennan, at the foot of Ben Lomond. Please note that the road directions given below are to Rowardennan, on the western side of Ben Lomond – they are not the correct directions if you are looking to take the rarely climbed eastern side of Ben Lomond.

BY CAR

From Glasgow (28 miles)

Your car journey from the centre of Glasgow to Rowardennan should take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes in light traffic conditions.

Take the A809 north west out of Glasgow in the direction of Drymen. Follow the road until the roundabout with the A811, and then follow the A811 for half a mile. You should then turn left onto the B858 following signs for Drymen and Balmaha, and then left again onto the B837 following signs for Balmaha and Rowardennan. You should then follow local roads in the direction of Rowardennan.

From Edinburgh (71 miles)

Your car journey from Edinburgh to Rowardennan should take just over 2 hours with normal traffic conditions.

Follow the M9 westbound in the direction of Stirling. Leave the M9 at Junction 10, then follow signs for A84 Crianlarich and Callander. Follow the A84 for around 4 miles, and then turn onto Kirk Lane, the B8075, following signs for Gargunnock. After about 2 miles turn right onto the A811 signposted for the Erskine Bridge. Keep following signs for the Erskine Bridge until you come to the junction with the B858, where you should turn onto the B858 followings signs for Drymen and Balmaha. You should then continue to follow local signs for Balmaha, and then Rowardennan.

From Aberdeen (148 miles)

A journey by car from Aberdeen to Rowardennan should take about 4 hours assuming normal traffic conditions.

Take the A90 southbound in the direction of Dundee and Perth. Follow the A90 past Dundee, and then at Perth you should continue onto the M90, and then branch left at Junction 10, following signs for Stirling A9. You should then follow signs for A9 Glasgow and Stirling, before turning onto the A820 about 113 miles into your journey, signposted for Doune. Then turn onto the A84 signposted for Stirling. You should then turn onto Kirk Lane, the B8075, following signs for Gargunnock. After about 2 miles turn right onto the A811 signposted for the Erskine Bridge. Keep following signs for the Erskine Bridge until you come to the junction with the B858, where you should turn onto the B858 followings signs for Drymen and Balmaha. You should then continue to follow local signs for Balmaha, and then Rowardennan.

From Inverness (167 miles)

Assuming normal traffic conditions, your car journey from Inverness to Rowardennan should take just under 4 hours 30 minutes.

Follow the A82 southbound in the direction of Fort William, passing Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston, Fort Augustus, Invergarry, Laggan Locks and Spean Bridge. Follow the A82 south, through Fort William, and then up Glen Coe, across the breathtaking Rannoch Moor, through Bridge of Orchy, Tyndrum, Crianlarich, and then down the western side of Loch Lomond.

At Stoneymollan Roundabout, at the southern end of Loch Lomond, you should take the 1st exit onto the A811 signposted for Stirling. Keep following signs for Stirling until the junction with the B858. Take the B858 following signs for Drymen and Balmaha, and then the B837 following signs for Balmaha and Rowardennan. You should then follow local signs for Rowardennan.

BY TRAIN

The closest train station to Ben Lomond is Balloch, however you would need to arrange your own onward travel to Rowardennan, at the foot of Ben Lomond – no public transport in available. Trains are operated by Scotrail and Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT), running from Glasgow Queen Street to Balloch.

BY AIR

Glasgow Airport is the closest airport to Ben Lomond, being 36 miles from the mountain. The airport has excellent UK domestic connections, as well as flights to European, Mediterranean, and some Asian and US destinations.

Prestwick Airport (also known as Glasgow Prestwick Airport, though it is not really in Glasgow) is a primarily low cost and cargo airport, 59 miles from Ben Lomond, and has connections with UK and European destinations.

Edinburgh Airport is 64 miles from Ben Lomond, with connections through the UK, Europe, and some US connections.

Dundee Airport is a small airport 152 miles from Urquhart Castle, with a limited selection of domestic UK flights.

There are excellent fishing opportunities all around Loch Lomond. The lochside is easily accessible through the length of its western and southeastern sides – things are a bit trickier on its northeastern shores. You require a permit to fish from the shore or a boat. A whole array of species are waiting for your line: trout, salmon, Arctic char and pike are just a few of those to be found in the Loch.

If you fancy sailing in Loch Lomond, you will find the northern half to be much quieter than the southern half. The southern half is broad and there is a lot of boating activity around Millarochy Bay in particular. The northern half is narrower with mountains on both sides and sees little boating traffic.

Loch tours are available with Loch Lomond Cruises running from Tarbet to the remote hotel at beautiful Inversnaid. It is a perfect place to sail over to for tea, boasting peace, tranquility and excellent views of the Arrochar Alps.

There are a number of interesting villages on Loch Lomond’s shores. Luss is very picturesque and sits on the western shore of Loch Lomond and was the location for the filming of Scottish soap opera Take The High Road. Balmaha sits on the southeastern shore of the Loch, and there is a modest hill behind the village called the Conic Hill which offers extensive views of the Loch, and is in fact directly on the geological fault line separating the Highlands from the Lowlands. Rowardennan is accessible by a single-track road running north from Balmaha.

It has a youth hostel and is the main route of ascent for Ben Lomond. Balloch sits at the southern end of the Loch and is home to the Maid of the Loch, a paddle steamer currently undergoing restoration, and also to Loch Lomond Shores, which offers some retail therapy if you find yourself wanting some!

Hillwalking opportunities lie all around Loch Lomond. On the eastern side of the Loch is Ben Lomond (3,195 ft.), which is usually climbed from Rowardennan. The views from Ben Lomond are simply breathtaking: on a clear day, you’ll see as far north as Glen Coe, as far west as the islands of Arran, as far south as Glasgow, and east over the beautiful Trossachs and Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. The Arrochar Alps (containing The Cobbler, Beinn Narnain, Beinn Ime, Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich) are a stone’s throw from Loch Lomond, and at the northern end of the loch is Beinn Chabhair.