Ben Lomond is a mountain. This entire region is surrounded by incredible mountains, all just begging to be climbed. That’s about it from me, I just hope some of these tips could be of help! If the Ben Lomond hike is a bit too long or difficult for you, consider hiking Queenstown Hill instead! Ben Lomond (974m, Munro 183) Ascent: 975m (3,200ft) Distance : 11km (7m) Time: walking : 4:20hr* running : 1:30hr *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent : Start/finish : Rowardennan (grid ref : … 363031 bear right to climb some 600 feet up 3 rock ‘steps’ to summit of Ben Lomond (367028). Check out our blog all about the Queenstown Hill Walk! I quickly decided that I was going to do the Red route up and the Orange route down, as I’ve never been much of a fan of walking the same route twice. The most popular path up to the summit of Ben Lomond is the Tourist Path, which starts at Rowardennan car park (Postcode G63 OAR). The grade here is generally uphill, but with a little up and down. then no doubts you’re in the mood for hiking. Ben Lomond Saddle is one of the most stunning views in all of New Zealand. Many of the guide books estimate 30,000 annual walkers, although speaking to one of the rangers he told me that he thinks it's in excess of 40,000 now. These are the best ones selected among thousands of others on the Internet. Like any mountain, it is generally quicker coming down than it is going up. Ben Lomond and Ben Vorlich across the loch are both designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) with species that include black grouse, ptarmigan, upland waders, eagle, pine marten, red deer, mountain hare and water vole. Cruise Loch Lomond run twice daily sailings by their water bus from Tarbet on the west side of Loch Lomond. How long does it take to climb Ben Lomond? To climb Ben Lomond head to Rowardennan on the east side of Loch Lomond. Around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs you can get some magnificent views of Ben Lomond, here are a few of my favourites. Cruise Loch Lomond run twice daily sailings by their water bus from Tarbet on the west side of Loch Lomond. The elevation provides an excellent view of Loch Lomond and its islands. Talking of views of Ben Lomond if you want one at Rowardennan the best is from the metal jetty. Here’s a look at my experience, and any tips for climbing Ben Lomond that I picked up along the way. Even if you don’t plan on hiking all the way up to the Ben Lomond Summit, just completing the Ben Lomond Saddle is worth the climb! Here's a look at my wonderful experience hiking Ben Lomond. The maximum slope is 9.7%. It is projects like this one that help to keep the paths in such good condition. Staying overnight here also offered me the chance to discover some of the other sites around Ben Lomond. It's a challenging, yet beautiful trek that any hiker will find rewarding. The Ben Lomond Track is the fifth most popular search and rescue location in the country George Driver 26 October 2018 26 Oct '18. So allow 5 hours for the walk in total. Parking is in the Forestry Commission car park, cost is £3 for the day. It also means you can get a head start up the mountain before it gets busy. There are two routes heading to and from the summit of Ben Lomond. is) had given me a VERY eerie “get out” kinda vibe so I was in no rush to return. Ben Lomond Memorial Park is now managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Oh yeah, and a waterproof bag as well as you don’t want all of your clothes getting soaked! This is one of the best Scottish munro to climb as it rewards climbers with truly fantastic views of the whole of Loch Lomond. The descent was completed before 2pm. The mountain has many rocky outcrops and 3 summits. Ben Lomond (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Laomainn, 'Beacon Mountain'), 974 metres (3,196 ft), is a mountain in the Scottish Highlands.Situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, it is the most southerly of the Munros.Ben Lomond lies within the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park and the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, property of the National Trust for Scotland. Rowardennan is approached by car (there are no busses) via an 11 mile dead-end road from the village of Drymen. The peak rises to 974m and the views from the trig point at the summit are truly spectacular. This took away the warmth and more sadly any kind of view. He said he has climbed 5 times now and has never had a view from the top. The walk is approximately 7 miles long, and can take 4 - 5 hours to complete for the average walker. However, if you were to get lucky I can only imagine how incredible the views must be! But you should definitely check the weather forecast and speak to some locals before doing the walk if you are there in winter. The average percentage thus is 5.9 %. Any equipment I should bring along? Thank you for subscribing, we will send you an e-mail shortly to confirm your subscription. Unfortunately for us, this was during the period when the whole region was under some lockdown restrictions so we couldn’t eat in (pretty gutting as they had a log fire in there!!!!). Or how..." | Check out answers, plus see 221 reviews, articles, and 267 photos of Ben Lomond on Tripadvisor. There is one in Scotland, which the New Zealand one was named after. Be prepared, have plenty of water and layers of clothing. It’s practically in the city, but still sufficiently challenging and offers a great scenic view of the area from Lake Wakatipu, Arthur’s Point and Queenstown.It doesn’t take much effort to get on this hike – the trailhead starts just 10 minutes walk from Queenstown city center. The peak of Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) takes the form of a north-south ridge with three small summits. But the biggest and best is Ben Lomond, a relatively moderate hike destined to offer the best possible views of the gorgeous Loch below. We will leave from the Hospice and drive up to the foot of Ben Lomond to embark on our climb. If you’re keen to save about an hours worth of hiking through the forest, you can take the Skyline Gondola up through the Ben Lomond … We always recommend Osprey for our climbing gear as they’ve never let us down! They advise that the total route can take between 4 to 6 hours, so be sure to take plenty of food and water with you. Ben Lomond mountain is a very popular hike in Queenstown, due to its accessibility and beautiful views. To find the start of the path just walk through the central archway of the toilet block and you're on the path. Take care on the descent, by the time you get close to the starting point your legs feel like jelly! You’ll may even need more suitable gear, so it’s best to seek some advice from those more experienced. Is Ben Aan dog-friendly? The views as you head down are superb, once of course you clear the cloud. Ben Lomond is the most prominent mountain in the North Ogden area. The Ben Lomond is situated in Tasmania. First up, here’s a few teaser pics from my walkÂ. It is known as a Munro, because it has a height of over 975 metres. Visit Paul’s other websites, Paul Saunders Marketing & Paul Saunders Photography, for his marketing, photography & video services in Loch Lomond and beyond. Good walking boots and appropriate socks are highly reccomended. The climb takes you through a forest. You can take the gentler option and grab a scenic ride up the Skyline Gondola, saving yourself a 450 metre (1476 feet) climb up a series of switchbacks in the mostly pine forest like on our 'Manuka' trip, or you can hike from Queenstown like on our 'Tui' trip the way the locals usually do it. There is one main car park for Ben Lomond, located here. It took me about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get up and about an hour and 45 minutes to come down, so the 4 hour guideline was spot on. How to safely climb Ben Lomond peak. These are locations where small wooden/stone houses used to be where local farmers lived. From here, the terrain becomes steeper and rougher as it approaches Ben Lomond's 1,748m summit. From the Skyline Gondola to the Ben Lomond Saddle and back is … I will of course have proper gear with me. Registered in Scotland SC503836. How long is the Ben Lomond Track? From its summit, on a clear day, there are excellent views across Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Hiking Ben Lomond: the gondola route (2-3 hours return) There are two main ways to tackle this peak. We drove this in our campervan that we converted and didn’t have any trouble getting up and down. Located on the east side of Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond is easy to access through the small village of Rowardennan. If you do this hike, you will be walking up a mountain (or at least part of it). Compared to the other Munros in Scotland (mountains above 3000 feet / 914 metres), Ben Lomond is probably very straightforward. Based on my experience, this route definitely is more tricky and requires you to traverse more wet and slippery sections of rocks. Ben Lomond Saddle . The saddle is 1,326m high and the summit is 1,748m high. And in the end I am very happy that I did! Would I encounter any real difficulties at this time of year? Located between Loch Lomond and Loch Sloy, the mountain offers fantastic views on the surrounding area. Due to it's proximity to Glasgow, Ben Lomond is probably one of the busiest mountains in Scotland. It’s at the very end of a long rural road running up alongside the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Ben Lomond, Rowardennan: "How long does it take to hike Ben Lomond? Starting from Upper Blessington, the Ben Lomond ascent is 17.9 km long. Wear sun screen and smidge (midge repellant), bring snacks/lunch, stock up at The Village Shop in Balmaha, next to the Oak Tree Inn (the last shop before Rowardennan). The Ben Lomond via Upper Blessington is ranked number of the Ben Lomond. This climb belongs to the Ben Lomond. It may lack the high altitude characteristics of the higher peaks to the south, but the scenery is outstanding, and the relatively gentle grade of the hike make it a great hike if you're in the mood for a long but pretty walk. Please feel free to comment below, tell me about your experience climbing Ben Lomond, also share the article on social media. And it just so happens that one of the best spots is the Ben Lomond car park which allows you to stay overnight. The time needed to climb Ben Lomond depends on a few things, such as …. Ben Lomond, Rowardennan: "How long does it take to hike Ben Lomond? The Basics of Ben Lomond. You'll find me working out of a cafe in Bali, perhaps on a riverboat in Brazil or maybe even an airport lounge in New Delhi. Ben Lomond is Scotland’s most southerly Munro and stands tall above Loch Lomond at a height of 974m/3196ft. It’s actually quite a nice drive and there are a few different cafes and pubs to stop off at the whole way up; such as the Oak Tree Inn & Clansman Bar. Best time to climb Ben Lomond? Fondest memory: Hiking the Ben Lomond Track. Ben Lomond is certainly one of the most enjoyable climbs in the northern Wasatch, in fact, I would say it is the best peak climb in that region. In 2016 I decided to ditch the office environment, work from my laptop and travel to every country in the world. Some basic navigation skills are necessary to climb this mountain. A fair weathered weekend can easily have in excess of 200 people scaling its … This article and accompanying photographs are by Paul Saunders for See Loch Lomond. On a good day the path to the top will be busy, so an early start for us was a must! There is a toilet block, with some information panels nearby. The night we stayed we decided to get dinner from the pub located right next to the car park. It’s proximity to Glasgow and the central belt makes it a very popular climb. Just be aware that this road can get busy in the summer months, and expect plenty of campervans as there is space to overnight park in the Ben Lomond car park. Beyond the saddle is Ben Lomond Station where the track becomes a marked route. Your support goes a long way. There is nowhere to buy food or drink on the way up the mountain, except for a small stall outside of someone's home. How long does it take to climb Ben Lomond? Although the central one is the highest at 943m, the southern top is marked with a trig point. They also have outdoor seating so in the summer this would be a great spot to relax and unwind after a good old climb up Ben Lomond. We stayed here for one night and it was wonderful waking up early with no one around and wonderful views down Loch Lomond. Either way, the food was great (we went for the battered halloumi and chips) and they have lots of options. The Ben Lomond rangers and volunteers work hard to protect the pathway for the ever increasing visitor numbers. Especially if you choose to take the Orange Route back down like we did. The walk back down was lovely as, once you slowly descend from the mist and clouds, you are slowly greeted by ever-more mesmerising views. It's a pretty challenging 5-6 hour climb, but not excessively if you're reasonably fit. The north Loch Lomond area is characterised by a vast and open sense of place and long dramatic vistas. To climb Ben Lomond head to Rowardennan on the east side of Loch Lomond. Ben Lomond is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland. As you climb the footpath beyond the forest you start to see the excellent view emerging over your shoulder. Scotland’s weather is best in May and September. Climbing Ben Lomond in Queenstown Approaching Ben Lomond. At OS ref. This view comes just after passing the Skyline complex at the top of the gondola. You can only imagine how brutal living in one of these must have been at times! It takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete the ascent and descent of Ben Aan, depending on how long you linger at the top to admire the views (and we recommend that you do)! As you move from the forest into more open ground you will come to the start of the area that is looked after by the National Trust, this is clearly marked. However, there is a good achievement at having 'bagged a munro' and climbed to the top of the iconic mountain that provides Loch Lomond with its name. All you had to do was leave money in the box on the wall; I’m not sure if they offer this all year round so don’t rely on it. If you skip the first part and start walking from the top of the gondola, it takes 4-6 hours. If you don’t receive it please check your spam folder. Do I need to put on boots? I mentioned previously the necessity for layers. There’s a very good chance of there being snow and ice higher up the mountain, making it much more treacherous and making the path harder to follow. Or how..." | Check out answers, plus see 210 reviews, articles, and 246 photos of Ben Lomond on Tripadvisor. They have electronic measuring systems so that is probably quite accurate and shows the growing popularity of the walk. Read more. I definitely recommend taking the time to walk up Ben Lomond if you find yourself in the area, if nothing else it definitely feels like an achievement getting back to the car park! I climbed Ben Lomond in October 2020, and was fortunate enough to be blessed by wonderful weather and even a Scottish hiking companion on the route back down. Since 1995 the area around the mountain has been dedicated to those who gave their lives during the first and second world wars. Ben Vorlich (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Mhùrlaig) is a Scottish mountain situated between the northernmost section of Loch Lomond and Loch Sloy.It is one of the Arrochar Alps, though it lies separate from the other peaks in the range, as indicated by the large topographic prominence.It is the highest point of the historic county of Dunbartonshire. Before you hike you will easily be able to see the peak along with the ridge you will be walking to the southeast. Ben Lomond is the most southerly munro in Scotland. Ben Lomond is only 4m lower than Scafell Pike, so I thought Ben Lomond would be a better climb since S.P. My recommendation for staying in Rowardennan is this B&B, click for link. Ben Vorlich has a height of 943m and is situated north of the Arrochar Alps. How to visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter Bridge), Driving the Southwest Coastal 300 in Scotland. You could time your climb to watch the sun rise or set. There is a shorter walk that takes about 45 minutes round trip, that takes you on a tour of some old sites. Will there be snow avalanche during that period? was an abortive mission back in February due to flooding and the whole of Wasdale (where S.P. Located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and situated on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond itself, the peak is the southern most Munro in Scotland. I'm a novice hill walker and just wondered how safe it is to climb Ben Lomond at the moment? The Orange route was much more impressive views-wise and included walking past some really awesome drop-offs and even past a small body of water high not far from the top. … I am planning to take gondola and climb Ben Lomond for another 2 hours (one way) on 15 May 2019. Ben Lomond is one of the most popular Munros, rewarding the people who make it to the top with fantastic views of the length of Loch Lomond and far into the hills to the north and the Trossachs to the east. Filled with all the tips and tricks you need to know in order to climb Ben Lomond yourself. Wild camping in Scotland was by far one of the most memorable parts of our entire 2 month long visit. If you park in the car park, then you’ll need to pay for parking, but there are 7 or 8 spaces just at the entrance to the car park (pictured below) which don’t require a ticket. I've also included some photographs taken on my recent climb. Situated next to the east shore of Loch Lomond no peaks with a similar height are in the direct surroundings. This route hugs the loch-side of the mountain very closely so you get views almost the whole way up and down Loch Lomond. The most detailed guides for Ben Lomond How To are provided in this page. The time needed to climb Ben Lomond depends on a few things, such as … Which route you take up and down; Your fitness level; What the weather is like; But as a very rough guide, the boards suggest that it takes between 2-4 hours each way. Views of the Ben Lomond summit from the trail. For my walk I set off just after 9am, as I was walking on a Sunday I knew that the car park would quickly fill. I've climbed this mountain a few times and my friends and I decided to climb Ben Lomond while the weather was still okay. When we left the car park it was very warm, however sadly there was a thick cloud base from just over half way up the mountain. Located close to the jetty is a stone sculpture that commemorates the fallen service men and women of both world wars. Share with friends. It will take between 4-6 hours to climb Ben Lomond. You'll climb another 500 feet over the next 2.7 miles. But as a very rough guide, the boards suggest that it takes between 2-4 hours each way. Ben Lomond stands at 3195feet/974metres and is peak number 184 in the Munro heights table. On our trip we saw a Thistle Camp and Trailblazers team hard at work, this is an initiative to get young volunteers from around the world to have a holiday in Scotland, whilst contributing to conservation projects. As we got close to the summit we met the mountain bikers, who had already experienced mixed fortunes with the first part of their descent. A munro is a mountain over 3,000 feet high. Day parking costs £3 for all day and there are toilet facilities there. Pretty unsurprising and, according to my local travel companion on the way back down, it is like that much of the year. Rowardennan is approached by car (there are no busses) via an 11 mile dead-end road from the village of Drymen. Climb to the 1,326 m Ben Lomond Saddle. Known as one of the easiest mountains to climb, you can begin your journey at the Ben Lomond visitor centre. ©2021 Paul Saunders Media & Photography Ltd. Currently the Forestry Commission are cutting down trees infected by a disease, they are planting replacements. I climbed in October and for the final half of the way up the mountain there wasn’t much in the way of a view. Frequently Asked Questions about Ben A’an How long does it take to climb Ben A’an? Combined with the Tiki Trail, the Ben Lomond Track is 14 km long. Transferring to the Ben Lomond Trail from the Tiki Trail. Ben Lomond: Hard climb but worth it - See 221 traveler reviews, 267 candid photos, and great deals for Rowardennan, UK, at Tripadvisor. Note: The section from the saddle to the summit crosses private land. The highest point has a height of 974m and can be climbed within 2.5 hours in good weather conditions. Feet, and can be climbed 'll climb another 500 feet over the next 2.7 miles jetty. Of the best ones selected among thousands of others on the descent, by the Trust! Note: the gondola route ( 2-3 hours return ) there are no busses ) via an 11 mile road. 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