Stobinian
horseshoe walk from Inverlochlarig (Balquhidder)
| Distance Height Start / Parking Approximate time Grade |
 8.3 miles - circular3823 ft + 2 other peaks over 3000ft Carpark west end Balquhidder Glen at Inverlochlarig 6-7 hours Straightforward but - diff in winter - Navigation can be tricky |
Homepage Outdoor activities Walks list (all) |
Stobinian from the south (GPS track download)
Winter care - a large cornice usually forms on the east side of the long summit ridge - keep well away!
This is a great walk both winter and summer, but sadly neglected as Stobinian is usually approached via Ben More from the North side.
Directions
From the A84 at King's House Hotel follow the signs for Rob Roy's Grave to Kirkton of Balquhidder then keep going to pass lochs Voil and Doine to the car park at the end of the public road (NN445184)
The walk commences at a stile opposite the carpark with a climb from
500 ft to 2100 feet within about 0.7 mile. The next 1.5 miles takes you over easy ridges
to the first peak - Stob Coire an Lochan at about 3470 feet, (GR NN438221)
The imposing peak of Stobinian at about 3800 feet is now only 0.5 miles away along a fairly level ridge with a sharp climb up to the Stobinian summit (NN435227) with its tempting neighbour of Ben more only 1 mile distant, but with a drop of 1000 feet between. If you're early and fit enough you can include Ben More but it adds 2 miles and 2000 feet of ascent to the route - so I'm going to stop here and take a look at the 360 degree summit panorama (new window).
Continue with the planned walk now by returning to the previous peak of Stob Coire nan Lochan (GR NN438221) and turn east (bearing about71°T) at the summit to scramble down among some small crags to the lochan 500 feet below. Follow a ruined wall to the base of some rocks to climb the rocks and find the summit cairn of Meall na Dige (NN451226 3140 feet) a little way to the north. If weather stays clear some great photo opportunity here looking back to Stobinian.
From Meall na Dige head SouthEast along an undulating ridge (beware crags to west side) for about 1.5 miles to the summit cairnof Meal Monachyle (NN466206 2100 feet). Great views here to Balquhidder glen and the Inverlochlarig hills.
The images below open in a new window - close to return here.
Finally, Descend about 0.5 mile down steep grassy slopes in a south-westerly direction to find a gate beside the Alt Carnaig burn at NN460197. Follow the farm track to the road for a final 1 mile hike to the carpark.