These two Munros on the southern fringe of the Highlands appear as an identical pair in many distant views. Closer up, they are more different. Ben Vorlich is a very popular hillwalk from Loch Earn and a fine viewpoint, whilst the continuation to Stuc a'Chroin is a more serious walk with rocky ground and scrambling.
Summary
Straightforward hillwalking to Ben Vorlich. Route on to Stuc a'Chroin involves a rocky scramble or an alternative scree path, whilst return crosses boggy eroded ground.
Terrain
NN633232
Grid ref
13.5km/8.25 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
No public transport to the start; buses do run to Lochearnhead and St Fillans.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. There is verge-side parking alongside Loch Earn near the humpback bridge and Ardvorlich House. The initial parts of the walk are signposted (for 'hill-walkers') and keep close to the Ardvorlich Burn, keeping away from the farm. Beyond the farm the route follows a winding vehicle track well above the pretty stream.
Photo ©Gordon Hatton, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
2. After about a kilometre and a half there is fork in the track. Take the main route to the right which continues the ascent. A little further on, cross the Allt a'Choire Bhuidhe via a footbridge. From here the route is a path rather than a track but the route has been much improved in recent years. It continues the climb, now across open heather slopes, towards to north side of Ben Vorlich.
Photo ©Graham Ellis, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
3. The path, which is badly eroded in parts on the higher slopes, joins the north side before a final steeper climb half left leads up to the summit - the trig point is at 985 metres, with the cairn a little further east being slightly lower. The position of Ben Vorlich on the southern edge of the Highlands makes it a superb viewpoint for much of central Scotland. For most visitors, this summit will be enough; they should return the same way.
Photo ©Kevin Rae, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
4. Experienced Munro-baggers may want to include Stuc a'Chroin. This is a much rockier and trickier peak, and is well seen from Ben Vorlich. To include it, follow the ridge path west at first and then curve round on it to the left to descend to the intervening bealach. There are now two options. The usual route follows the path to the bottom of the steep prow of Stuc a'Chroin. From here it ascends a short boulder field and then follows a zig-zagging scrambling route which does require the use of hands, and could be tricky if the rocks are wet and for expert mountaineers only in winter. The possible alternative is to descend a little into the corrie on the north and then climb the still-steep path up the grass and scree from there, then follow the northwest ridge up to rejoin the scrambling route at the top of the prow. There is a memorial here to Donald Stuart, founder of the Falkirk Mountaineering club.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
5. The summit of Stuc a'Chroin is a half kilometre further south along the ridge. With its slightly more southerly position, the views over the central belt are even better than those from its more famous neighbour. Return to the top of the prow, and then down to the bealach - it is best to go down the northwest ridge for around four hundred metres before descending the steep scree path. Contour round below the bealach and continue contouring until the northwest ridge of Ben Vorlich is reached.
Photo ©Kevin Rae, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
6. A very eroded and boggy path now continues contouring, this time around the head of Coire Buidhe to rejoin the ascent path. Follow any waymarked diversions if this route is being repaired; an alternative is to continue round the ridge to Beinn Our and then descend east to the outward route from there. Once back on the main path, follow it back down the hill to Ardvorlich and the start.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, and licensed under this Creative Commons Licence
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