Ben Ledi or Ben Venue

[lisamorr1]

Hi all,

Seen a post from walk highlands regarding avoiding particularly busy hills (specifically Conic Hill, Ben Lomond, Ben A'an) and so I have been wondering whether to do Ben Venue or Ben Ledi this weekend.
I know Ben Ledi will probably be quieter but the views from Ben Venue look super so I guess I wondered if you guys thought it would be particularly busy and a nightmare to park?

Or which walk do you prefer?

Thanks!!

[davekeiller]

I would expect Ben Ledi to be the better option as it's further from Glasgow, although I've not been in the area recently.

[iain_atkinson_1986]

If you head down to Brig O' Turk and do Ben Ledi that way it might be a bit quieter.

[Sunset tripper]

Weekdays will be quieter but if the weekend is your only option it would be best to turn up as early as you can. It's fairly safe to say Saturdays and Sundays will be the busiest, but it's hard to predict how busy car parks are going to be on any particular day.
Last Monday I arrived at the small car park for Glen Callater at 9 30 AM, en route to Lochnagar and it was only half full. On Friday the North Face car park for Ben Nevis was close to full at 7 15 AM

[jmarkb]

Both are likely to be busy. Similar sized hills in the area that are likely to be quieter might include Beinn Each, Ben Vane (from Brig O'Turk or Strathyre), or Meall an-t Seallaidh.

[bootsandpaddles]

The car parks at both Ben Ledi and Ben Venue will be full very early on Saturday and Sunday if the weather is fine and probably even if it isn't. Parking on the road is not permitted at Ben Venue or Ben A'an and is being policed. The National Park is running a scheme that monitors how full car parks are getting. You can access this on their website.

[lisamorr1]

thanks all....

Beinn Each looks like a good alternative - is the only parking option the layby off the road?

thanks!!

[jmarkb]

Beinn Each looks like a good alternative - is the only parking option the layby off the road?

Essentially, yes: though there is also a track entrance about 100m north of the layby where you might be able to squeeze a car in without blocking access. It looks like you could park at The Cabin and walk along the forestry tracks to join the normal route - it would add about a mile in each direction.