Ben Lawers Ridge (Nov)

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 15.5km (9¾ miles)
Total ascent 1400m
Time 7 hours
Start Ben Lawers car park (NN608377); finish Lawers village on A827 (NN680400)
Terrain a very good path makes this long route easier, but there are some very steep and exposed sections (one short scramble requiring the use of hands) and the last descent is over grassy, pathless ground.

Guidebook The Munros ed D Bennet, pb Scottish Mountaineering Trust
NN608377 From the National Trust for Scotland carpark, cross the road to take the well-maintained and signed path. A nature trail goes off to your right but you go left to climb up through the fenced native woodland, initially on the left side of the burn.

NN615391 After 2km you leave the fenced woodland to begin the steep zigzagging ascent up the south-west ridge of Beinn Ghlas. After 100m the path divides, here you take the right fork and follow the increasingly rocky path to reach the summit of Beinn Ghlas.

NN625404 From the summit of Beinn Ghlas – your first Munro of the day – you get your first views of the summit of Ben Lawers. Continue on the path now descending gently north-west on the distinct ridge, dropping to a height of 1000m, before climbing steeply but briefly again to the 1214m peak of Ben Lawers.

NN635414 Descend steeply north from the summit. Here, still on a good path, you drop to a height of 1020m before a very short ascent to the small top of Creag an Fhithich and good views of Lochan nan Cat. Descend briefly again until you cross a little burn, from where you head left to ascend An Stuc (be careful to ignore a small path that joins the ridge here from the east). The ascent is steep but not challenging.

NN638431 Care must be taken when descending from the summit of An Stuc as it is very steep and exposed in places with one short section where you’ll need to use your hands. You drop east then north- east, still on a path before beginning the gentler ascent of Meall Garbh.

NN643436 From here the terrain changes, becoming grassier and more gradual with the path muddier under foot. Descend north-east then south-east, following a fenceline to the wide, boggy bealach. Here the path is less distinct as is the peak ahead but climb east across the hummocky ground to reach the rounded summit.

NN673438 Descend Meall Greigh to the south-east, finding your way down the grassy slopes for just over 500m before heading south to drop down to reach Lawers Burn and the path below.

NN674418 On reaching the path follow it south, passing through some ruined sheilings and crossing a deer stile into a small forestry plantation before passing by some farm buildings and finally arriving at the A827 by a small horn carvers’ shop.