Munro · Fife & Perthshire
Ben Chonzie
Ben Chonzie (930m) is a prominent mountain in the Perthshire Highlands, where the Highland Boundary Fault crosses Scotland. With 646m of prominence it stands well apart from its neighbours, a genuinely isolated summit that demands a dedicated day. The summit, marked by a cairn/shelter, gives views of the Highland/Lowland boundary, Loch Tay and the Breadalbane mountains. The nearest town is Perth in Perth and Kinross.
Gaelic: “mountain, peak” · Pronunciation: ben
Quick facts
- Height
- 930m/ 3052ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 819 m
- Time
- 4.6 hrs
- Difficulty
- 4 / 5Strenuous
- Grid ref
- NN773308
- Parking
- NN56092772
- Nearest city
- Perth
Download GPX route file
Standard route · 16km
Standard route
The standard route is a longer walk with a gradual approach covering approximately 16km with 819m of total ascent — a full day on the hill. Lower slopes cross mixed woodland, farmland and heather moor. Higher up, the terrain changes to grass and heather ridges with occasional rocky outcrops. Generally good landrover tracks and maintained paths through well-managed estates. The summit is marked by a cairn/shelter.
Terrain
Above 700m the ground is fully exposed to weather from all directions. Generally good landrover tracks and maintained paths through well-managed estates. The hill's high prominence means the approach involves significant re-ascent — there are no easy shortcuts from neighbouring peaks.
In winter
In winter, Ben Chonzie is a serious proposition. Less extreme than the west coast but exposed summits catch easterly winds carrying cold continental air. Snow lies longer on north-facing slopes. Daylight is limited in midwinter but marginally better this far south than in the Highlands.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 37m
- Edinburgh2h 47m
OS maps: OS Landranger 51, OS Landranger 52
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:45
- Sunset
- 20:43
- Civil dawn
- 05:02
- Civil dusk
- 21:26
NOAA Solar Calculator · 25 April 2026