Ben More
and Stobinian walk -
Gaelic, Ben More = Big mountain. Stobinian = Ston Binnean = anvil peak
| Distance Height Start / Parking Approximate time Grade |
 10 miles - circular3843 ft & 3823 ft + 2 other peaks over 3000ft Carpark to west of burn about 5 m east of crianlarich GR 455276 8 hours Difficult - Vdiff in winter - one or two exposed scrambles |
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WARNING - I'VE HAD FEEDBACK INDICATING THAT FORESTRY OPERATIONS HAVE MADE THE ROUTE THROUGH THE FOREST VERY DIFICULT OR IMPASSIBLE SINCE I WAS LAST HERE. TO AVOID A RUINED DAY YOU MAY PREFER THE APPROACH FROM INVERLOCHLARIG IN BALQUHIDDER GLEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE. THIS CAN BE USED TO TAKE IN 3 OF THE 4 HILLS DESCRIBED HERE. SEE www.incallander.co.uk/walks/stobinian.htm . THIS CAN BE WALKED AS PART LINEAR/PART CIRCULAR - INVERLOCHLARIG - STOB COIRE NAN LOCHAN - STOBINIAN - BEN MORE - STOBINIAN - STOB COIRE NAN LOCHAN - MEAL NA DIGE - MEALLE MONACHYLE - INVERLOCHLARIG.
OTHERWISE - WALK AS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED BUT TAKE CARE NOT TO GET WAY OFF ROUTE IN THE FOREST!
This is one of the classics - the highest mountain in its group between GlenDochart and Balquhidder glen Spectacular views in all directions . Ben More is on the right in the photo which was taken from the lower slopes of Ben Lawers.
Warning: This walk takes you over the 3000 foot mark 4 times and winter conditions may be seen here before the end of September and into mid May. Be prepared!
If you are unprepared for one or two exposed scrambles, make the simpler linear ascent from Benmore farm
The route
Park your car well off the road on in the small carpark west of the burn GR 455276 about 5 mile east of Crianlarich. The access at the rear of the car park is marked by a signpost 'To Ben More'.
Follow this newish track right up through the woods - about 1.5 mile. Note the exit point from the woods for your return
Turn left from the woods and head south-ish across the corrie toward Stob Creagach. The
easiest way is to follow the buggy track to the deer fence at the stile then veer SE. Be
careful not to give yourself problems by climbing the small summit which masks the ridge.
Head for the ovbious summit of Stob Creagach then follow down the long ridge and onto the
bealach with the knobbly hump. After passing this 'hump, scramble up the tricky
rocks now facing you - the right side is easiest but exposed - then head up to Meal Na
Dige. 
Find a way down SW from Meal na Dige avoiding the rocks in the direct line then pass the lochan to ascend Stob Coire an Lochan then on to the peak of Stobinian. Stay clear of the dangerous drop to your right here and also after passing Stobinian's summit.
Follow the easy ill defined track which zig zags down the north shoulder of Stobinian to Bealach Eadar na Beinn then continue up to the summit of Ben More. Some awkward scrambling near the summit may be avoided by circling a little way right.
At the summit you can see a great chunk of Scotland - starting in the south , Ben Vane, Ben Ledi, BenOur, Stuc a Chroin, Ben Vorlich, then moving round to the east, Loch Tay disappears into the distance with Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas and Tarmachan ridge on its north shore. Away to the north are the hills beyond Rannoch moor then the Glencoe mountains come into view in the far distance before coming round to Ben Lui and Cruachan with its 4 peaks to the northwest. Further round now to the west and southwest you see Ben Vorlich (lomond side) Ben Vane and finally Ben Lomond.
From Ben More summit take a bearing of about 45 º to access the NE shoulder. Care will be needed on the scrambles down a couple of rocky outcrops - these may cause serious difficulty in icy conditions. Continue down the shoulder to meet a new fence which you can now follow to the stile and back through the woods
.