Ben Vane is only just high enough to make Munro status, but it is a steep, rocky little mountain that admits no inferiority to its higher neighbours. The ascent is short by hillwalking standards but there are several false tops and the climb is a sustained one.
Summary
Track for the approach, then path up steep, rocky hillside.
Terrain
NN322098
Grid ref
11km/6.75 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
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Citilink buses from Glasgow run along the shores of Loch Lomond past Inveruglas
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. There is a good sized car park at the Inveruglas Visitor Centre on the west side of Loch Lomond. There is an information centre here as well as a cafe and public toilets. Ben Vane is out of view from here; the prominent conical peak visible to the southwest being A'Chrois. Begin the walk by following the new path beside the A82 southwards. The giant pipes running down from Ben Vorlich drive the turbines of the Inveruglas hydro-electric power station on the other side of the road. After almost a kilometre turn right onto a gated tarmac road leading under the railway.
2. Soon a large electric substation is passed on the left. The steep, featureless slopes of Ben Vorlich tower on the right whilst the more elegant summit of A'Chrois is on the left, rising above a dense blanket of forestry. Ahead is Ben Vane itself, a rough pyramid of rock and grass. Once beyond Coiregrogain the tarmac road curves round to the right, bound for the Loch Sloy dam - another part of the hydro power scheme. Turn left onto a forestry road, crossing a bridge over the a river and running just to the right of a plantation.
3. Four hundred metres beyond the bridge, leave the track and follow an initially unclear path that soon ascends to reach a low shoulder at the foot of the ridge leading up to Ben Vane. Cross the shoulder and follow the path that soon begins to climb directly up the mountain. The path is steep and eroded in places - zig-zag to and fro to ease the gradient. Excellent views soon open up behind over the forestry and Loch Lomond beyond.
4. There is optional scrambling on the rocks but the path avoids any real difficulties. Higher up the ridge becomes better defined. There are several false tops before the cairn at the true Munro summit of Ben Vane is reached at 915 metres. The view is given great depth by the shape of the mountain, but there are higher peaks all around restricting the panorama. Although it is possible to continue the walk by descending the steep west ridge before ascending to the Glas Bhealach and thus Beinn Ime, this route is unremittingly tough going and for most walkers Ben Vane is best tackled alone, returning the same way.
Photo: jwramsay
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