Ben Vorlich and Stùc a' Chròin

Summary

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 Stùc a' Chròin is a more serious walk with steep, rocky ground.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Straightforward hillwalking to Ben Vorlich. Route on to Stùc a' Chròin involves steep, rocky terrain with some slight scrambling, whilst the return crosses boggy, eroded ground.

Deer Stalking information

North of Ben Our, Ben Vorlich, Creagan an Lochain and Meall Reamhar: Ardvorlich Estate. Stalking between mid-September and 20 Oct. Access via the main paths and ridges is always OK. If further information is needed, please phone 01764 685260.

Getting there

Start

Ardvorlich, Loch Earn.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start; buses do run to Lochearnhead and St Fillans.

Start Grid Ref

NN633232

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14.5km / 9 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 1145m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Ben Vorlich
Munro: Stùc a'Chròin

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Walk Description

User reports (173)

Stage 1

There is rough informal parking on the verges of the minor road along the south side of Loch Earn, mostly just west of the hump-backed bridge over the Ardvorlich burn. The walk begins up the track on the opposite (east) side of the burn, passing between the urn-topped stone gateposts. Keep right at the fork below the farm cottages, crossing the bridge back to the west side of the burn. Ardvorlich House is seen ahead here, but instead turn left once over the bridge.

Stage 2

The track leads over stiles next to several gates. 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; here the track ends and the route becomes a path.

Stage 3

This first part of the path has been much improved in recent years. It continues the climb, now across open heather slopes, towards the north side of Ben Vorlich. As height is gained the path becomes increasingly eroded as it leads up the Sgiath nam Tarmachan ridge (wings of the ptarmigan). A final steeper climb half left leads up towards the summit ridge.

Stage 4

The trig point is at 985 metres, with the cairn a little further east along the fine ridge being slightly lower. The position of Ben Vorlich on the southern edge of the Highlands - combined with the steepness of the slopes falling away from the summit - ensures it a superb viewpoint for much of central Scotland. For most visitors, this summit will be enough; they should return the same way.

Stage 5

Experienced Munro-baggers may want to include Stùc a' Chròin. 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. From here the usual route follows the path to the bottom of the steep prow of Stùc a' Chròin, then ascending a short boulder field.

Stage 6

A path then bears slightly right - aim for a slabby rock which can be ascended via a gully along its left edge. There are steep zig-zagging paths heading up the slope above, keeping to the right of the main buttress - care is necessary to ensure you stay on route, which ends abruptly at a cairn on the top of the prow. This section is for expert mountaineers only in winter. It is possible to avoid this ascent by descending into the coire from the bealach, descending a little into the corrie on the west side before climbing the still-steep path that zigzags up a grassy slope between the broken rocks. From there the northwest ridge can be followed to rejoin the main route at the top of the prow. From here there are great views back to Ben Vorlich.

Stage 7

The summit of Stùc a' Chròin is a half kilometre further south along the ridge; there are two cairns, with the higher summit being the smaller northern one. With its position on the southern edge of the Highlands, it offers unrivalled views over Scotland's central belt - a remarkable contrast to the view to the north. To the northwest Lochearnhead is seen, whilst Loch Voil can be spotted over to the west.

Stage 8

For the return route, the prow can be avoided on a path on the west side that keeps just below the rockier gound. Once the ridge coming down from the prow is reached at around 850m carefully take the very steep path that zig-zags down the grassy slope to the northeast. Once easier terrain is reached below the path becomes boggier and not so obvious, but in clear conditions this boggy trod contours the slopes keeping just below the ridge linking the two Munros, continuing right around to reach the NW ridge of Ben Vorlich at around 680m.

Stage 9

A very eroded and boggy path now continues contouring, this time around the head of Coire Buidhe, before losing height as it gradually converges with and rejoins the ascent path back down to Loch Earn.

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