"easier" Munros

[doe808]

Taking a friend walking at the weekend, as she wants to bag a Munro before returning to NZ.

Shes very fit (ran a 10km and a half marathon in the last six months), but has never done any hilll walking before.

Had though Ben Chonzie might be decent one, althogh not the best view from the top.

Anything similar "effort wise" as Ben Chonzie within 2 hours drive from Edinburgh/Glasgow?

Cheers

d

[blueyed]

i would suggest: ben lawers, tarmachan ridge, ben vorlich...

[martinbarghati]

hi d,

You could head out to arrochar and climb the arrochar alps, you have a choice of 3 hills, ben ime, ben narnain and the cobbler. although the cobbler isnt a munro its a cracker and if you feel fit enough you could add it on after doing one of the munroes. this is perfectly doable. when we climb up here we do the three of them normally in this order: the cobbler, ben ime and finally narnain. i guarantee u will enjoy,

all the best,
martin

[Scotjamie]

Your friend sounds fit but hill walking has different aspects, so easy is best and I endorse blueyed's suggestions - Ben Vorlich (at Loch Earn), Ben Lawers from the visitor centre, or by far the best, the Tarmachan ridge (though I think that the other two are better for a novice) - also agree with your own suggestion of Ben Chonzie, some see it as a boring hill, but it is no such thing - a nice easy walk with much wildlife and (imho) nice views.

[Derek T]

Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers from the visitor centre car park are straight-forward with no tricky bits and you start at a good height. Beinn Ghlas is a fairly steep ascent but relatively short. Once you have reached the summit of Ben Lawers you can retrace your steps to the col between Lawers and Ghlas and descend by traversing the side of Ghlas and avoiding the re-ascent.

[doe808]

Excellant- thanks for these.

Lots of reading to do over the next few days then !!!

I'll keep you updated..

[munrowalker]

Schiehallion/Ben Lomond.

Both very much beginner hills, both nicely pathed, both bloody brilliant views

[doe808]

Thanks Munrowalker. Schiehallion has been on my list for a long time !!

[Derek T]

Schiehallion is a fantastic hill but it doesn't have a path all the way to the top. The last km is across a massive boulder field that could prove tricky for someone with no hill experience. Ben Lomond is a good option.

[davidmhodgey]

To be honest, if she's "running fit" pretty much any munro will be fairly straight forward, so long as it's not technically demanding. The hard part is not complaining when the rain/wind batter you!

I'd recommend The Cobbler, Ben Ime and Ben Narnain as the views are excellent. I've never been on the Lawers range in clear weather - I think it's cursed!

[Mick le pick]

Amazingly ben nevis although the biggest is quite easy because it's so well pathed

[icemandan]

Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) is straight forward and close to Edinburgh.

The other Beinn Vorlich at the top of Loch Lomond is trickier.

I wouldn't worry too much about the boulderfield on Schiehallion. My parents negotiated it without difficulty and that was a bit like Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.