Munro · Arrochar & Trossachs
Stuc a' Chroin
Stuc a' Chroin (973m) — "peak of the cloven foot" — is the smaller but more dramatic neighbour of Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn), the pair forming one of the most popular Southern Highlands Munro combinations above the south side of Loch Earn. Where Ben Vorlich is a shapely cone, Stuc a' Chroin throws up an imposing rocky face above the steep linking col. From the summit the panorama reaches across the Trossachs to the Forth valley and out to the Pentlands.
Quick facts
- Height
- 973m/ 3192ft
- Prominence
- 252 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 856 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN617174
- Parking
- NN632232
- Nearest city
- Stirling· 30km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
Loch Earn path 30% · Open hillside / Ben Vorlich 30% · Summit scramble 40%
See Ben Vorlich for the standard pair route from Ardvorlich on Loch Earn. From Ben Vorlich, drop the steep south-west ridge into the Bealach an Dubh Choirein, then climb Stuc a' Chroin's rocky north-east face — one brief scrambly section through the rocky bands. Return reverse-traverse, or drop the long south-east ridge into Glen Ample for a linear day with a car shuttle. Around 11km with 1100m of climb for the pair.
Terrain
The Bealach an Dubh Choirein is a deep notch with steep ground on both sides. Stuc a' Chroin's north-east face involves one brief scrambly bypass through the rocky bands — broken rock that needs a hand even when dry. The summit forms a small rocky platform topped with a cairn at the highest point. The south-east ridge descent to Glen Ample is sustained steep grass.
In winter
For Southern Highlands standards, a genuinely mid-grade winter outing. The scramble onto the north-east face from the Bealach an Dubh Choirein climbs at Grade I minimum in winter. The north-east face holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. The Ardvorlich access road stays gritted and Lochearnhead is an accessible winter base. Phone reception fades above 700m.
This hill is in the Southern Highlands SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 14m
- Edinburgh2h 50m
OS maps: OS Landranger 57
Mobile signal: Reasonable signal at Callander. Signal weakens above 700m on the Stuc a' Chroin ridge. Store maps ahead of leaving Callander.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:02
- Sunset
- 21:45
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
On a long-distance route
Stuc a' Chroin sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Stuc a' Chroin on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dunblane station
Stirling-area; Sheriffmuir; gateway north
23km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Callander
Trossachs gateway — Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin, Rob Roy Way
9km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Deanston
Doune — converted cotton mill; floral, honeyed Perthshire distillery
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Stuc a' Chroin — common questions
- How hard is Stuc a' Chroin?
- We grade Stuc a' Chroin at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 17km with 856m of climbing; allow 5-8 hours. Underfoot: The Bealach an Dubh Choirein is a deep notch with steep ground on both sides.
- What is Stuc a' Chroin's prominence?
- 252m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Stuc a' Chroin to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Stuc a' Chroin?
- Most walkers start from NN632232. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Stuc a' Chroin?
- May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Stuc a' Chroin. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Stuc a' Chroin dog-friendly?
- 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 Stuc a' Chroin?
- Reasonable signal at Callander. Signal weakens above 700m on the Stuc a' Chroin ridge. Store maps ahead of leaving Callander.
- Is Stuc a' Chroin safe in winter?
- For Southern Highlands standards, a genuinely mid-grade winter outing. The scramble onto the north-east face from the Bealach an Dubh Choirein climbs at Grade I minimum in winter. The north-east face holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. The Ardvorlich access road stays gritted and Lochearnhead is an accessible winter base. Phone reception fades above 700m.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.