Corbett · Arrochar & Trossachs
Meall na Fearna
Meall na Fearna — "hill of the alder trees" — is the quiet Corbett tucked between Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin on the south side of Loch Earn. At 810m it is overshadowed by its two Munro neighbours and rarely visited in its own right, despite the fine outlook north over Loch Earn to the Crieff hills. The summit is a small pile of stones on a wide grassy plateau, and the hill's gentle south-facing slopes give some of the easiest going of any Trossachs Corbett.
Quick facts
- Height
- 810m/ 2657ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 713 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN650186
- Parking
- NN633232
- Nearest city
- Stirling
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen path 30% · open hillside 35% · broad ridge 25% · summit stones 10%
Park at Ardvorlich on the south side of Loch Earn and follow the public path south up Glen Vorlich. Where the path branches near Glenvorlich, take the eastern fork up the open hillside and climb steady grass slopes onto the broad north ridge of Meall na Fearna. Around 15km return with 713m of ascent. The hill is often combined with Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin for a long three-summit day, though that adds two Munros.
Terrain
The Glen Vorlich path is firm gravel as far as the fork. Off the main path the hillside is short grass and bracken — fast in dry conditions, slippery in the wet. The summit plateau is broad mossy grass with the small cairn easy to miss on the featureless top. No exposure or rocky steps. The connecting ground to Stuc a' Chroin is wet bog and rough heather.
In winter
A friendly winter hill — gentle south-facing slopes, no avalanche concerns and reasonable shelter from Loch Earn. The summit plateau is featureless in whiteout. Loch Earn road and Ardvorlich access are gritted and reliable. Daylight is short but the close approach makes a single hill manageable. Often combined with a Munro for fitter parties.
This hill is in the Lochaber SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 16m
- Edinburgh2h 47m
OS maps: OS Landranger 57
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal at Ardvorlich; intermittent on the upper hill
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:38
- Sunset
- 21:51
- Civil dawn
- 03:39
- Civil dusk
- 22:49
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Meall na Fearna.
On a long-distance route
Meall na Fearna sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Meall na Fearna on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dunblane station
Stirling-area; Sheriffmuir; gateway north
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Callander
Trossachs gateway — Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin, Rob Roy Way
11km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: The Glenturret
Crieff — Scotland's oldest working distillery; Famous Grouse Experience
19km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Meall na Fearna — common questions
- How hard is Meall na Fearna?
- Meall na Fearna is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 713m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: The Glen Vorlich path is firm gravel as far as the fork.
- Where do I park for Meall na Fearna?
- Standard parking is at NN633232 near Stirling. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Meall na Fearna?
- The standard good-weather months for Meall na Fearna are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Meall na Fearna?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Meall na Fearna?
- Reasonable signal at Ardvorlich; intermittent on the upper hill
- Is Meall na Fearna safe in winter?
- A friendly winter hill — gentle south-facing slopes, no avalanche concerns and reasonable shelter from Loch Earn. The summit plateau is featureless in whiteout. Loch Earn road and Ardvorlich access are gritted and reliable. Daylight is short but the close approach makes a single hill manageable. Often combined with a Munro for fitter parties.