Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs
Ben Oss
Ben Oss (1029m) is a prominent mountain in the Arrochar Alps and the Trossachs, where the Highlands meet the Lowlands. Its 341m of re-ascent gives it a distinct identity — this is no subsidiary top but a hill worth visiting in its own right. The summit, marked by a rock, gives views of Loch Lomond, the Firth of Clyde and the Glasgow skyline on clear days. The nearest town is Oban in Stirling.
Gaelic: “mountain, peak” · Pronunciation: ben
Quick facts
- Height
- 1029m/ 3379ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 906 m
- Time
- 4.9 hrs
- Difficulty
- 4 / 5Strenuous
- Grid ref
- NN287253
- Parking
- NN27412454
- Nearest city
- Oban
Download GPX route file
Standard route · 17km
Standard route
The standard route is a longer walk with a gradual approach covering approximately 17km with 906m of total ascent — a full day on the hill. Lower slopes cross steep wooded slopes of oak and birch above Loch Lomond. Higher up, the terrain changes to rocky mica schist ridges, often steep and broken. Well-maintained paths on popular routes like The Cobbler, but quieter hills have rough, steep ground. The summit is marked by a rock.
Terrain
Above 700m the ground is fully exposed to weather from all directions. Well-maintained paths on popular routes like The Cobbler, but quieter hills have rough, steep ground. The connecting ridges to adjacent hills are well-defined but involve noticeable re-ascent.
In winter
In winter, Ben Oss is a serious proposition. High rainfall makes ice build-up fast on north-facing slopes. These hills feel bigger than their height suggests in full winter conditions. Daylight is limited in midwinter but marginally better this far south than in the Highlands.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 36m
- Edinburgh2h 20m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:48
- Sunset
- 20:46
- Civil dawn
- 05:05
- Civil dusk
- 21:29
NOAA Solar Calculator · 25 April 2026