Ben Venue from Loch Achray

Summary

Ben Venue may be small in stature but it is a mountain of real character, the finest in the Trossachs when seen across Loch Venachar, Loch Achray or Loch Katrine. The ascent is a great walk with both boggy and rocky ground higher up, and stunning views from the summit.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good forest tracks and path to the col and a final rocky path to the summits

Deer Stalking information

Except for low ground on southern approach up Ledard Burn, all managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. No stalking issues.

Getting there

Start

Ben Venue car park off the A821.

Public Transport

Trossachs Explorer bus service from Aberfoyle and Callander.

Start Grid Ref

NN505068

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 725m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Fiona: Ben Venue

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Walk Description

User reports (54)

Stage 1

There are several possible start points for Ben Venue, such as from Ledard Farm on Loch Àrd, or one from Leannach car park on the Duke's Pass which joins with this route, the most popular, starting from the Ben Venue car park on Loch Achray (charge). Begin by taking the path from the back of the car park, well to the left of the info boards. There are good views on the first section, both back to Loch Achray and up to Ben A'an, but most eyes will be on Ben Venue, seen magnificently ahead. When a path junction is reached turn left following the blue / green marker post - the other arm of the loop can be followed on the way back. The path crosses a wooden boardwalk across a marshy area. Beyond this it reaches a tarmac road very near to the public road.

Stage 2

Turn sharp left here to follow the tarmac lane, soon signed for the Loch Katrine dam. The road runs close by the foaming Achray water. Turn left onto a waymarked path that leads to the Achray Water bridge. Cross this and continue to reach a track. Turn right here - signed for Ben Venue. After a few hundred metres turn left onto a signed path heading up through the trees. This undulates for a while before descending to reach a junction. Turn right here onto a path which climbs through the forest before emerging at a forestry track. Turn left along this and then right at the next junction. Head diagonally across the next forestry track onto the path beyond.

Stage 3

The wide path/track now climbs gently along the north side of Gleann Riabhach. The area is a mix of new plantations, regeneration and felled areas, giving views towards the mountain and back over the lochs. Continue on the well-made path which eventually climbs above a waterfall. The going then becomes rougher - with a much boggier section - before climbing once more to reach the lowest point on the ridge, marked by a large cairn.

Stage 4

The cairn marks a junction of paths; a path off to the left here traverses the hillside and is a through-route to Ledard Farm on Loch Àrd. For Ben Venue, turn right at the cairn and climb steeply at first before continuing along the eroded path on the knobbly ridge. Excellent views now begin to open up over sections Loch Katrine over to the left, backed by several Munros, whilst further left Ben Lomond is particularly prominent.

Stage 5

Continue on the main path which crosses a low rise before descending to a boggy area. From here it cuts across the slopes before climbing into the gap between the twin summits of Ben Venue. Most people follow the main path to the southeast summit, with a rocky initial section before the path leads up to the shattered stump that remains of the trig point. This has the best views of Lochs Achray and Venachar and over towards the Lowlands.

Stage 6

The second summit (the northwest summit) is actually higher than this, but was bypassed by the main path. Head back to the dip between the two, then follow a narrower path that forks right and climbs to the true summit, marked by a small cairn. This has a truly stunning view over Loch Katrine and towards scores of Highland mountains.

Stage 7

For the descent, you can continue on a narrow and rocky path which soon returns to meet the ascent route. From here, the descent back to the car park is best made by retracing the route of ascent, unless transport has been arranged in which case you could reverse the climb of Ben Venue from Ledard Farm.

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