Ben Lui

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
21 kms	420 mins	1050 metres	Explorer 364: Loch Lomond North

Description

Ben Lui (Beinn Laoigh in Gaelic, meaning calf hill) is one of Scotland's most spectacular and highest mountains and with its scalloped central corrie - Coire Gaothaich - and its twin craggy summits it dominates the Strath Fillan area. Bearing over Cononish Glen to the north east - it presents a challenging hill walk for the more experienced hillwalker.

The mountain is best climbed from the most spectacular side (the north east) and involves an 8-kilometre walk in (and out!) up the long and scenic Cononish Glen to the foot of Coire Gaothaich.

From here carry on steeply up the north east ridge to Stob Garbh and carry on up the northern side of the coire horseshoe where the path steepens and narrows - eventually ending at a cairn a few metres from the north-west top of the mountain. Reach the summit from here via a short ridge traverse, overlooking the steep corrie. There should be no problems for experienced hillwalkers in good summer conditions. If attempting this route in winter however, ensure you have sufficient experience of Scottish winter hillwalking conditions and have the correct equipment (i.e. ice-axe(s) and crampons) and know how to use them.

Return by the outward route or alternatively carry on around Coire Gaothaich and come down the south-east ridge to return to the Allt an Rund and the walk back to Cononish and Dalrigh/Tyndrum.

Also see our Munros section for further information about Ben Lui.

Access Info

By train: Tyndrum is on the historic West Highland Line. Tyndrum Lower Station, one of the options for the walk start, is on the Oban branch, and the nearby Upper Tyndrum Station is on the Fort William branch. First Scotrail run between 1 and 4 trains per day to and from Glasgow and walkers should alight at the lower station.
By car: From Perth follow the A85 until it meets with the A82 at Crianlarich. From Glasgow/Crianlarich follow the A82 until around 1 mile from Tyndrum where the car park at Dalrigh is on the left.

Additional Info

Beinn Laoigh was the original name for Ben Lui but the name was was anglecised for Ordnance Survey maps in the 19th century.

Gold was found in commercially extractable quantities in Cononish Glen in the early 1980's and Scotland's biggest gold mine can be found in this area.