How difficult is The Stob?

The Stob carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 617m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Soft path through pasture and bracken, then trackless wet grass on the upper flanks.

What is The Stob's prominence?

229m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links The Stob to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for The Stob?

Most walkers start from NN535175. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb The Stob?

April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on The Stob. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is The Stob dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Arrochar & Trossachs

The Stob

A small shapely summit overlooking Glen Buckie on the eastern side of Loch Voil in the Balquhidder hills. Forms the western outlier of the Stuc a' Chroin/Beinn Each chain and is often climbed together with the Corbett Beinn an t-Sidhein across the glen.

Quick facts

Height: 753.6m/ 2472ft
Prominence: 229 m
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 617 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN491231
Parking: NN535175
Nearest city: Stirling· 43km
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

village path 15% · steep heather 40% · grassy ridge 35% · summit area 10%

14km · 617m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Park at Ballimore in Glen Buckie and follow the right of way south up the glen, taking a wet hillside left after a kilometre and ascending grass and bracken to a small rocky summit cone above the corrie.

Terrain

Soft path through pasture and bracken, then trackless wet grass on the upper flanks. A few outcrops near the top but easy walking throughout.

In winter

Wet snow plasters the grassy slopes when a Trossachs front moves through; hidden burn-mouths under softening drifts are the principal hazard. Higher hills shed cornices easily so check the bigger ridges above.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers The Stob. 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 24m
Edinburgh2h 56m

Parking: NN535175

OS maps: OS Landranger 51

Mobile signal: Poor signal in this Arrochar/Tarbet area

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 00mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:39
Sunset: 21:07
Civil dawn: 04:53
Civil dusk: 21:53

NOAA Solar Calculator · 11 August 2026

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Around The Stob on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Crianlarich station

Crianlarich Munros — Ben More, Stob Binnein, Ben Lui, Cruach Ardrain

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Callander

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

20km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

The Stob — common questions

How difficult is The Stob?: The Stob carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 617m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Soft path through pasture and bracken, then trackless wet grass on the upper flanks.
What is The Stob's prominence?: 229m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links The Stob to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for The Stob?: Most walkers start from NN535175. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb The Stob?: April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on The Stob. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is The Stob dog-friendly?: 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 The Stob?: Poor signal in this Arrochar/Tarbet area
Is The Stob safe in winter?: Wet snow plasters the grassy slopes when a Trossachs front moves through; hidden burn-mouths under softening drifts are the principal hazard. Higher hills shed cornices easily so check the bigger ridges above.

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