Ben Lawers Range, Central Highlands (Aug)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.



Distance 25km (15½ miles)
Total ascent 1950m
Time 10-11 hours
Nearest town Killin
Terrain mostly good hill paths and ridges but one tricky rocky descent section off An Stuc Start National Trust Scotland car park (NN608378); finish A827 at Lawers (NN680399)

Accommodation Killin Hotel (01567) 820296; Bridge of Lochay Hotel (01567) 820272
Public transport none
Guidebooks The Munros ed D Bennet, pb SMC
Tourist info (01567) 820254
Best pub Bridge of Lochay Hotel (see above)


The Ben Lawers range is situated to the north of Loch Tay a few miles beyond the town of Killin. Justifiably popular, the seven Munros (3,000ft+ peaks) in the range are all linked by a network of grassy ridge paths and for the most part high cols. Although usually tackled in a series of smaller day walks, the superb ridge walking can make for swift progress if you are fit and travelling light. In the long daylight hours of summer there is absolutely no reason why a fit hillwalker can’t tackle all seven summits in one lengthy outing. If you can arrange to be dropped off at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) car park, this gives you a 430m above sea-level head start – which will be fully appreciated as you reach the final summit pull! The fi nish is on the A827 several miles away, so ideally you will need a pick-up or a second vehicle. An alternative is to drop off a bike at the NTS Lawers car park and cycle back to the Lawers village end point (necessitating doing the route described above in reverse).


Travel light, travel further 


To enjoy a demanding day out it is essential to travel light. You may want to bivvy on a route of this length, but if you’re going for the seven summits in a day, keep it light. Ask yourself if you really need all the kit you are carrying. If walking as a group, do you all need to carry fi rst aid kits, bothy shelters, mobile phones and a GPS? If the conditions are dry you may also want to wear the lightest fabric boots rather than heavier mountain boots. But be sure you are used to mountain walking in lightweight boots. Another thing to consider is the amount of liquid you need to carry. Drink half a litre before you start and only carry a 1L bottle of water. It is always possible to refill on the way (you may want to carry a water filter or treatment tablets). 

NN608378 Begin from the National Trust car park on the minor road from Loch Tay to Glen Lyon. Follow the Nature Trail path north-east into an area of trees protected by deer fences. Follow the excellent path uphill to open country beyond the enclosure. A path junction is soon reached at the foot of the south-west ridge of Beinn Ghlas. Now bear north up the Glen towards the head of Coire Odhar and the col below Meall Corranaich. 

NN620407 Now climb very steeply up to the north-west on a well-defined, but in places rough, path. This leads directly to a small, grassy plateau and a small summit cairn. The continuation north to the next summit is across a broad, open, grassy ridge, which affords excellent walking and swift progress. There is a path for most of the way, although it becomes faint in places. The summit of Meall a’ Choire Leith and its small summit cairn is tick number two of the day. Its most notable feature is its view of the north side of Ben Lawers.

NN612438 Retracing your steps to the col beneath Meall Corranaich’s south-east ridge is the path of least resistance. Some may want to contour across steep, grassy slopes to avoid the extra 200m of ascent (not recommended) while others may have preferred to opt for a different start point to the day’s outing (NN594416). Having tried both of the above to avoid this reascent, I think it is probably best to add in the extra reascent by virtue of its easy-going grassy ridge devoid of both rough, boggy ground and steep, tussocky hillside traverses!

NN620407 An excellent path continues around the north side of Beinn Ghlas, crossing a burn, affording the option of taking on more water. It is possible to scramble up rough, steep slopes to the summit directly from the Corranaich col, but the line of least resistance is the path to the Lawers-Ghlas col and another quick out-and-back along an excellent, easyangled path. The small summit cairn is perched directly at the edge of the corrie rim.

NN625404 Retrace your steps to the col and climb the well-engineered path up the ridge to the summit of Ben Lawers and its massive cairns and trig pillar.  At 1214m this is the highest point outside of the Cairngorms and Nevis Ranges.

NN635414 Descend the north ridge and climb up to the next summit of An Stuc. The descent north-east from this summit requires care and involves an easy scramble down a steep, loose gully to the ridge below. This is the only tricky section of the walk. Once down at the col the path continues on grassy terrain up to the next Munro summit of Meall Garbh.

NN643436 The walk to the final Munro of the day is along a broad, featureless ridge. There is a reasonable path for much of the distance, and an old fence line aids any potential navigational challenges in poor visibility. Once at the final Munro summit, descend south across open, grassy slopes making for the Lawers Burn path. This section is largely pathless although there are paths for some of the distance. Once back on the Lawers Burn path, follow this south to the A827 a short distance east from Lawers Village.