At 3,984ft, Ben Lawers is so close to 4,000ft that at one time a cairn was built to try and get it there!
Ben Lawers is the highest peak in the National Nature Reserve, but there are six other Munros, including Meall nan Tarmachan.
- Ben Lawers 3,984ft (1,214m)
- An Stuc 3,668ft (1,118m)
- Meall Garbh 3,668ft (1,118m)
- Beinn Ghlas 3,619ft (1,103m)
- Meall Corranaich 3,507ft (1,069m)
- Meall nan Tarmachan 3,427ft (1,043m)
- Meall Greigh 3,284ft (1,001m)
Although the Munro status may be the focus for many visitors, there are other summits too, giving equally spectacular views. From the tops, weather permitting of course, the views of Loch Tay and beyond are exhilarating. From Ben Lawers itself, you’re rewarded with a panoramic sweep of the mountainous landscape, from Ben Lomond and Glencoe in the west to the Cairngorms in the east.
The routes to the most popular peaks are relatively straightforward, but some of the others present more hazards. Please ensure that you’re competent and equipped for the walk you plan to do. Be fully prepared for a day in a tough mountain environment, no matter how fine the weather may appear in the car park. Always check out a mountain forecast before you venture into the hills, and carry a proper OS map and compass. Conditions can change very quickly.
Meall Corranaich (Ben Lawers NNR)
This Munro offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains in the Ben Lawers range from the summit.
Walk details
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Difficulty
Difficult
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Time
4 hours
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Distance
4½ miles (7.5km)
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Start
Ben Lawers NNR car park
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Finish
Ben Lawers NNR car park
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Step 1
(1/8)Take the path out of the car park through the Story Shielings, cross the hill road and follow the path across an area of bog.
This area of the hill is enclosed to keep out sheep and deer, but in the summer, cattle are providing conservation grazing within virtual fences to improve the condition of grasslands and heaths, and to promote natural regeneration of the mountain woodlands we have been restoring. Please keep dogs under proper control.
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Step 2
(2/8)After about 250m, the Edramucky Nature Trail branches off to the east and provides an interesting short (675m) diversion, following the watercourse, before rejoining the main route.
In spring the woodlands will be noisy with birdsong, although redpoll can be heard throughout the year, and a variety of plants are visible from the path as the seasons progress.
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Step 3
(3/8)After crossing the burn, a short distance below a hydro intake, the route follows the top of the steep-sided gorge, curving to the east at the lip of Coire Odhar, passing the ruins of several shielings (small summer dwellings).
The route starts to zig-zag up the south-west ridge of Beinn Ghlas and you will pass out of the exclosure through a metal, self-closing gate.
Once on the open hill, there may be sheep owned by local farmers who have grazing rights on the Trust hill ground.
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Step 4
(4/8)Turn north (left) before a large group of boulders, following the gently ascending shieling track up Coire Odhar parallel to the ridge of Beinn Ghlas.
The route crosses many small rills around which species-rich flushes occur, some with scarce or rare plant species growing. It is especially important to keep to the hard surface of the path to protect these important communities.
The ridge of Sròn Dha Mhurchaidh to the west will be your route down. This is a good place to see the elusive mountain ringlet butterfly during its short flying season in the summer.
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Step 5
(5/8)On reaching the bealach, the view down into Glen Lyon opens up.
Turn west (left) and follow the narrow path line towards Meall Corranaich, parallel to remnants of an old metal fence. The vegetation here is characteristic of areas exposed to hostile weather and strong winds, with plants showing various adaptations to their environment including by hugging the ground. Again, please tread lightly, particularly through wetter areas where cumulative trampling by many feet can cause damage to rare plants.
The initial part of the climb to the summit is steep and narrow, passing through a series of crags, before opening out into ground dominated by mosses and lichens.
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Step 6
(6/8)At the summit, enjoy the panorama of mountains visible (on good days). Ben Lawers rises behind Beinn Ghlas to your east; beyond it is An Stuc.
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Step 7
(7/8)From the summit, head south down the ridge towards Loch Tay and the mountain beyond. The first section of the descent is quite steep, with a visible path, but as the ridge flattens out there are only faint signs of trampling.
There are three sharper descents and at one point a narrow line hugs the east side of the ridge above the Lochan na Lairige dam.
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Step 8
(8/8)You will pass back into the exclosure, before following the nose of the ridge back down to the car park. The difference between the vegetation protected from grazing within the fence is apparent.
