Ben Vorlich is a bulky and very rugged mountain, the most northerly of the Arrochar Alps. It is possible to walk a fine circuit taking in the Little Hills from Ardlui to the north, but the ascent here, from Inveruglas via the Loch Sloy dam road, is the quickest.
Summary
Good tracks for the approach then very steep climb up to ridge.
Terrain
NN322098
Grid ref
13.5km/8.25 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. 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 Sloy hydro-electric power station on the other side of the road. The power station was commissioned in 1950 to supply electricity to Glasgow at times of peak demand - the great advantage of hydro-schemes is that energy is stored by the height of the water and can be released very quickly. 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, a rough pyramid of rock and grass. Beyond Coiregrogain ignore a left turn and follow the tarmac road as it bends to the right towards the Loch Sloy dam - another part of the hydro power scheme that supplies water to the power station at Inveruglas via a tunnel right under Ben Vorlich.
3. About a kilometre short of the dam a tiny cairn indicates the start of a very rough and faint path off to the right, just after a small stream. Turn up right here to begin an unremittingly steep and tiring ascent. The path - initially a scar up the grassy slope - becomes clearer high up before finally emerging on the south ridge of Ben Vorlich.
Photo: Steve Kennedy
4. From here continue along the straightforward ridge for the more gradual slope leading eventually up to the trig point. The true summit of Ben Vorlich is not here but at another cairn two hundred metres further along atop a small crag. The views are excellent, with Ben Lui looking majestic to the north, whilst sections of Loch Lomond are visible though the lower reaches of the loch are seen only from further along the south ridge.
Photo: Steve Kennedy
5. It is possible to descend over Stob nan Coinnich to Ardlui, or down the complicated terrain of the Little Hills ridge to Stuckendroin, but both of these routes end along way from Inveruglas, so for most the best option is probably to retrace your route of ascent.
Photo: Steve Kennedy
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