Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Ben Starav
Ben Starav (1079m) is one of the great Glen Etive mountains — a steep granite pyramid that rises almost straight out of the sea-loch at the head of Loch Etive. The north-east ridge is one of the finest single ascents in the southern Highlands: 1000m of climb in under 3km, almost all on clean rock and short turf. Usually paired with Glas Bheinn Mhòr and sometimes the full four-Munro horseshoe over Stob Coir' an Albannaich and Meall nan Eun.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1079.5m/ 3542ft
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 950 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN125427
- Parking
- NN137468
- Nearest city
- Oban
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen Etive path 20% · Steep rocky hillside 45% · Summit ridge 35%
Park at the bridge over the River Etive at Coileitir, near the head of Loch Etive. Cross the river (footbridge) and the boggy flats, then strike up the steep north-east ridge directly. The ridge is a sustained 1000m climb on grass and broken granite slabs leading to the summit cairn. Most parties continue east along the connecting ridge to Glas Bheinn Mhòr, then descend Coire na h-Uraisge back to Glen Etive. Around 13km with 1300m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The Etive river crossing uses a wire footbridge; the flats beyond are wet bog. The north-east ridge has a faint path that comes and goes on grass and short turf, with sections of clean granite slab that need attention in the wet. The summit forms a small rocky plateau, the cairn standing right at the lip of the south-east face. The connecting ridge to Glas Bheinn Mhòr is narrow turf with one rocky step.
In winter
A serious winter mountain. The north-east ridge is exposed to westerly weather throughout the climb; the granite slabs glaze readily with verglas. Cornicing on the summit plateau drops directly onto the south-east face — care with edge approaches. The connecting ridge to Glas Bheinn Mhòr develops avalanche risk after south-westerly loading. SAIS Glencoe is the relevant report. The Glen Etive single-track road can be drifted closed.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 55m
- Edinburgh3h 49m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m in upper Glen Etive. The glen road is out of range throughout. Download maps before the long drive down Glen Etive.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:31
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Around Ben Starav on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Loch Awe station
East shore Loch Awe; Ben Cruachan; Kilchurn Castle
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Oban
Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra
30km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Oban
Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles
30km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ben Starav — common questions
- How hard is Ben Starav?
- Ben Starav is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 18km with 950m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Etive river crossing uses a wire footbridge; the flats beyond are wet bog.
- Where do I park for Ben Starav?
- Standard parking is at NN137468 near Oban. 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 Ben Starav?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Starav are 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 Ben Starav?
- 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 Ben Starav?
- No signal above 700m in upper Glen Etive. The glen road is out of range throughout. Download maps before the long drive down Glen Etive.
- Is Ben Starav safe in winter?
- A serious winter mountain. The north-east ridge is exposed to westerly weather throughout the climb; the granite slabs glaze readily with verglas. Cornicing on the summit plateau drops directly onto the south-east face — care with edge approaches. The connecting ridge to Glas Bheinn Mhòr develops avalanche risk after south-westerly loading. SAIS Glencoe is the relevant report. The Glen Etive single-track road can be drifted closed.
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