How hard is Ben Venue?

We grade Ben Venue at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 598m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent path through the lower glen with waterfalls and pools.

How much drop does Ben Venue have?

The drop is 545m: measured from the summit of Ben Venue down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Ben Venue?

Park at NN406085. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Ben Venue?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Venue. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Ben Venue?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Alan O'Dowd / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Arrochar & Trossachs

Ben Venue

The defining peak of the Trossachs, rising above the south shore of Loch Katrine in twin rocky summits. Walter Scott's hill — name-checked in The Lady of the Lake and visible from every Trossachs viewpoint.

Quick facts

Height: 729.5m/ 2393ft
Prominence: 545 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~598 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN474063
Parking: NN406085
Nearest city: Stirling· 35km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

woodland path 25% · moorland path 35% · rocky upper slopes 30% · summit area 10%

13km · 598m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Park at Ledard farm on the south side of Loch Achray. Follow the Ledard Burn path north-west up through oak and birch woodland into the upper corrie, then turn west onto the rocky east summit. The slightly higher west top is a short walk on.

Terrain

Excellent path through the lower glen with waterfalls and pools. Higher up, schist outcrops and short grass. The two summits are linked by a stony ridge with one small step.

In winter

Trossachs hills hold snow surprisingly well — the east-facing corries can keep cover into April. Ice on the upper rocky steps catches walkers out. Loch Katrine cruise stops in winter so a return via Ledard is essential.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ben Venue. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS West Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 1m
Edinburgh2h 48m

Parking: NN406085

OS maps: OS Landranger 57

Mobile signal: Reception on the lower path; patchy on the summit ridge

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:47
Sunset: 18:21
Civil dawn: 07:09
Civil dusk: 18:59

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Ben Venue.

Two-hill day
Ben Venue + Ben Ledi
Link Ben Venue with Ben Ledi for a full Trossachs circuit — contrasting approaches through this famous landscape
22km · 1500m ascent · 9 hrs

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Around Ben Venue on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Arrochar & Tarbet station

Arrochar Alps — The Cobbler, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain, Ben Vane, Ben Vorlich

17km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Callander

Trossachs gateway — Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin, Rob Roy Way

16km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Deanston

Doune — converted cotton mill; floral, honeyed Perthshire distillery

25km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Ben Venue — common questions

How hard is Ben Venue?: We grade Ben Venue at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 13km with 598m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Excellent path through the lower glen with waterfalls and pools.
How much drop does Ben Venue have?: The drop is 545m: measured from the summit of Ben Venue down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Ben Venue?: Park at NN406085. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Ben Venue?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ben Venue. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Ben Venue?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Ben Venue?: Reception on the lower path; patchy on the summit ridge
Is Ben Venue safe in winter?: Trossachs hills hold snow surprisingly well — the east-facing corries can keep cover into April. Ice on the upper rocky steps catches walkers out. Loch Katrine cruise stops in winter so a return via Ledard is essential.

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