 Ben Lui Walk from Dalrigh for northern approach, click here
Ben Lui. (3700 ft). 12 miles To see the spectacular 360 degree view from the summit, download the 440K 'Pixmaker' image - your PC will
scream warnings at you but the file is guaranteed safe to run. Firewalls may require the
application to be permitted.
Alternatively, download the still 360 degree image
taken from the summit to maximise and scroll.
Ben Lui is probably one of the most spectacular mountains you will see in Scotland with
its twin craggy summits and sheer drops into truly cavernous corries.
Coire Gaothach to the north east side is almost always filled with snow through the winter
and steep snow banks form on the other faces making this a
very serious  winter proposition.
Enormous cornices are commonplace and treacherous in avalanche conditions.
Escape
Both sides of the main corrie can ice up quickly and become very difficult. If weather deteriorates a gentler descent from the summit - though longer - can be useful by heading WSW to the beallach between Ben Lui and Bein a Chleibh then descending to the north into Fion Choirien to find your way to the fence at the burn. At the burn follow downstream to the railway and a river crossing. A long walk back to Tyndrum follows!
Route
The most spectacular ascent is from Dalrigh near Tyndrum on the A85 with a total walk
of about 12 miles, most of that distance being the walk in and out. The walk to the base
of the Ben is 4.5 miles.
The shorter and easier route is from Glen Lochy on the north
side, but if the river Lochy is in spate, the approach may be blocked
This route can be made partly circular by ascending via Stob Garbh and decending via
Stob an Tigh Aird. This route does involve putting hand to rock and a head for heights is
useful around the edge of Coire Gaothach.
See a map of the circular corrie route here.
 Park
at the carpark to the south of of the A85 about 1 mile east of Tyndrum - watch for the
'Dalrigh' sign.
Walk out of the top exit from the carpark and turn west toward Dalrigh. Take the right
hand track to avoid the buildings then keep to the right on the gravel farm road to cross
a burn and pass below the Oban rail line. Continue to Cononish farm with its huge animal
shelters taking the right hand track to avoid the buildings. Past the huge culvert a good
track continues toward the hill, now visible in front of you with its huge corrie facing
you.
Beinn Chuirn with its spectacular waterfall and abandoned mine is to your right - Beinn
Chuirn is a good walk when time is limited and offers good views to Ben Lui. After 4.5
miles the track stops at a burn and the climb proper can commence.
The burn (Alt an Rund) can be a problem
after heavy rain but can be jumped a few yards upstream if the ford is impracticable. Once
over the ford, follow the little burn up the hill facing you all the way up to Corrie
Goathach.
 Once in the huge corrie (which can be filled with avalanche debris in spring) cross the
burn and continue below the towering pinnacle of Stob an Tighe Aird on your left. (GR
about NN274268) Climb steep grassy slopes scattered with boulders to attain the southern
'horn' of the corrie where a collapsed cairn marks the easiest route via a small corrie.
This route avoids most serious difficulty. (but see note a)
Don't go up to the headwall of the main corrie as it is mostly loose and
treacherous scree which becomes progressively steeper with a good chance of your taking a
tumble back into the corrie!
Once in the small corrie head south up steep slopes veering slowly through west then
north to reach the main summit after several crests.
Note A) if you have a head for heights and are competent on a scramble, after attaining
the dip in Stop an Tighe Aird 'horn', you can scramble up the edge of the corrie to the
summit - serious exposure to steep cliffs on this route.
 After feasting your eyes on what is probably the best
view you'll ever have of Cruachan, head northeast past the second summit to descend the
north shoulder for about 400 yards then turn right when convenient to descend grass/scee
slopes to pass a small lochan before skirting to the right of the knoll of Stob Garbh. A
path, (well defined at first when no snow) now leads steeply down to re-join the track by
the burn. (Great care required here in snow conditions as steep and prone to
avalanche).
Descend now the same route used to climb up to the corrie.
Enjoy the long trek back to the car!
A mountain bike might be a good idea to get here from the carpark, especially in winter
when days are short!
The photo below indicates the least troublesome route which allows you to avoid most
difficulties. The direct route following up the rim of the corrie is possible but not
recommended for the occasional walker.
It is also possible to ascend the right hand side of the
main corrie via the Stob Garbh 'horn'. Head for the low point in the corrie rim then
follow a faint track up the edge of the rim to attain the north summit. This route is
dangerous unless experienced - especially so in winter or windy conditions.
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