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Ben Lawers

Description

Start at the Visitor Centre car park and follow the wooden boardwalk (Nature Trail) for the initial stages. Follow the well worn main path up onto the higher ground, crossing a small burn and then on to the steep shoulder of Beinn Ghlas. A small cairn marks the summit of this first peak and the ground falls away steeply on the north side.
Ben Lawers, at nearly 4000ft the highest mountain in Perthshire and 10th highest in Scotland, can be seen ahead. Continue on the rough path, descending to the bealach (pass) between the two peaks, then climbing up rocky terrain to the summit of Ben Lawers. For the descent, retrace your steps to the bealach and then take the right hand track which leads round the back of Beinn Ghlas and eventually joins the original path near the car park.

Access Info

The NTS Mountain Visitor Centre for the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve can be found 1400ft up the hillside on the minor road that links Loch Tay and Glen Lyon, accessed from the A827 on the north side of Loch Tay. The car park at the Visitor Centre is the starting point for the walk to the summit of Ben Lawers and for gentler walks on the Nature Trail.

No bus to the National Trust for Scotland Mountain Visitor
Centre and car park.
Limited bus service along the north side of Loch Tay (A827 Aberfeldy to Killin) - better in summer.

Additional Info

At close to 4000ft, Ben Lawers is the highest mountain in the Central Highlands. Its southern slopes are renowned for their mountain plants and over 4000 hectares of the massif have been designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) which is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

A Nurturing Environment
Few places in Britain can rival the unique range of arctic-alpine plants found here. The summit is blasted by chill winds and snow covers the ground in winter, but on the higher parts of the hillside, lime-rich rocks and soils have combined with the extreme climate to provide a wealth of floral interest. Over 130 different species have been recorded including snow pearlwort, alpine gentian and alpine forget-me-not and several different types of saxifrage. Alpine lady's mantle, roseroot, blaeberry and moss campion also grow in profusion on the high slopes.

The NTS Visitor Centre for the National Nature Reserve can be found 1400ft up the hillside on the minor road that links Loch Tay and Glen Lyon, accessed from the A827 on the north side of Loch Tay. Well worth a visit for a great introduction to the natural and human history of the area.
" A twelve minute audio-visual film gives an overview of the reserve and management work being carried out. Induction loop available.
" Good interactive and static displays on flora, fauna and mountain - learn about the pioneering attempts to restore montane vegetation on the reserve. Small section for children.
" Gift shop and large car parking area giving access to Nature Trail and longer mountain walks. Nature Trail booklet available at the Mountain Visitor Centre (booklets can be purchased from a machine when the centre is closed)
" The Mountain Visitor Centre is open from 30th March to 30th September. Admission charge. NTS members free. Nature Trail open all year
" Further information: T: 01567 820397/ 01567 820988  W:www.nts.org.uk

Nature Trail
A signposted nature trail is easily accessible from the Mountain Visitor Centre and takes the walker through many fascinating and diverse features on the gentle lower slopes of the hill - allow around one and a half hours to go round and look at everything. The route follows the course of the Edramucky Burn, points on the trail are numbered and correspond to descriptions in a booklet available for sale in the Visitor Centre. Visitors are asked to stay on the clearly defined path to prevent damage to the flowers and vegetation

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