Is Ben Vorlich a hard climb?

Ben Vorlich is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 867m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Ardvorlich estate path is well-built stone pitching for the lower section.

How prominent is Ben Vorlich?

Ben Vorlich has 834m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Ben Vorlich?

Standard parking is at NN632232. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Ben Vorlich?

The standard good-weather months for Ben Vorlich 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 Vorlich?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs

Ben Vorlich

Ben Vorlich (985m) — the Loch Earn version, not the Loch Lomond Munro of the same name — is a shapely conical Munro rising directly above the south side of Loch Earn near Lochearnhead. Together with its lower companion Stuc a' Chroin to the west, it forms one of the most popular Southern Highlands Munro pairs, easily accessible from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The summit gives commanding views over Loch Earn, the Ochil Hills and as far south as the Pentlands on clear days.

Quick facts

Height: 985.3m/ 3233ft
Prominence: 834 m
Distance: ~17 km
Ascent: ~867 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NN629189
Parking: NN632232
Nearest city: Stirling· 31km
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

Path / open hillside 45% · Steep hillside 35% · Summit area 20%

17km · 867m ascent · 4.8 hrs

Park at the Ardvorlich Estate car park on the south side of Loch Earn (small charge). Take the well-built path south from the loch, climbing the steep north ridge of Ben Vorlich to the trig pillar at the summit. Most parties continue west and south to Stuc a' Chroin via the deep Bealach an Dubh Choirein — a steep rocky bealach with one short scrambly step. Around 11km with 1100m of ascent for the pair; Ben Vorlich alone is 8km with 940m up.

Terrain

The Ardvorlich estate path is well-built stone pitching for the lower section. Ben Vorlich's north ridge is sustained heathery hillside with a clear, eroded path. Above 700m the surface becomes short grass and broken rock leading to the trig pillar. The Bealach an Dubh Choirein between Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin is a deep bealach with steep ground both sides — the climb onto Stuc a' Chroin involves one short scrambly section. The descent off Stuc to Glen Ample is steep grass.

In winter

A genuinely mid-grade winter outing for Southern Highlands standards. Ben Vorlich's north ridge sits exposed to easterly weather. The Bealach an Dubh Choirein scramble onto Stuc a' Chroin becomes a Grade I winter scramble. The A85 corridor at Lochearnhead stays gritted. Phone signal on lower slopes is reasonable; fades above 700m.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ben Vorlich. 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 17m
Edinburgh2h 50m

Parking: NN632232

OS maps: OS Landranger 57

Mobile signal: Good EE/Vodafone signal at Ardlui and along the A82. Signal maintained on lower slopes; weakens above 700m. Popular hill with good road access.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 44mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:32
Sunset: 19:58
Civil dawn: 05:53
Civil dusk: 20:37

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

Ben Vorlich weather: forecast, wind exposure and winter notes →

On a long-distance route

Ben Vorlich sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.

Rob Roy Way3.8km

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Around Ben Vorlich on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Dunblane station

Stirling-area; Sheriffmuir; gateway north

24km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Callander

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

11km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Deanston

Doune — converted cotton mill; floral, honeyed Perthshire distillery

21km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Ben Vorlich — common questions

Is Ben Vorlich a hard climb?: Ben Vorlich is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 867m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Ardvorlich estate path is well-built stone pitching for the lower section.
How prominent is Ben Vorlich?: Ben Vorlich has 834m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Ben Vorlich?: Standard parking is at NN632232. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Ben Vorlich?: The standard good-weather months for Ben Vorlich 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 Vorlich?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Ben Vorlich?: Good EE/Vodafone signal at Ardlui and along the A82. Signal maintained on lower slopes; weakens above 700m. Popular hill with good road access.
Is Ben Vorlich safe in winter?: A genuinely mid-grade winter outing for Southern Highlands standards. Ben Vorlich's north ridge sits exposed to easterly weather. The Bealach an Dubh Choirein scramble onto Stuc a' Chroin becomes a Grade I winter scramble. The A85 corridor at Lochearnhead stays gritted. Phone signal on lower slopes is reasonable; fades above 700m.

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