Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs
Ben Vane
Ben Vane (915m) is a prominent mountain in the Arrochar Alps and the Trossachs, where the Highlands meet the Lowlands. With 424m of prominence it stands well apart from its neighbours, a genuinely isolated summit that demands a dedicated day. The summit, marked by rock outcrop near small cairn, gives views of Loch Lomond, the Firth of Clyde and the Glasgow skyline on clear days. The nearest town is Oban in Argyll and Bute.
Gaelic: “mountain, peak” · Pronunciation: ben
Quick facts
- Height
- 915m/ 3004ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 806 m
- Time
- 4.5 hrs
- Difficulty
- 4 / 5Strenuous
- Grid ref
- NN277098
- Parking
- NN263096
- Nearest city
- Oban
Download GPX route file
Standard route · 16km
Standard route
The standard route is a longer walk with a gradual approach covering approximately 16km with 806m 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 rock outcrop near small cairn.
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 hill's high prominence means the approach involves significant re-ascent — there are no easy shortcuts from neighbouring peaks.
In winter
In winter, Ben Vane 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
- Glasgow1h 18m
- Edinburgh2h 13m
OS maps: OS Landranger 56
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:49
- Sunset
- 20:45
- Civil dawn
- 05:06
- Civil dusk
- 21:29
NOAA Solar Calculator · 25 April 2026