(Click for a bigger view)Day Trip to Ben Lomond
on Saturday 11 April 2026
The map required is LandRanger 56 Loch Lomond & Inveraray area,
but you can download and print a useful section below ....
This April day trip will be a return visit to the most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond (974m).
Meeting Point and Route
We'll meet at the Ben Lomond car park at 9.30am for the start of the walk.
Satnavs: G63 0AR
Maps: GR NS362987
w3w: ///snippet.soggy.desks
(Click for a bigger view)
Please note the £5 per day charge for this Forestry and Land car park. There is also an overflow car park at about NS363980, in the forest to the right just before you reach the Rowardennan hotel .. I’m not sure if you need to pay there too. Walkers using that would need to allow 10 – 15 min. to walk the 800m or so along the road to the main car park. The main car park is always quite busy at the weekend, hence the earlier start, and car sharing could reduce the cost.
The proposed route will depend upon the weather and the inclination of those walking. If the weather is good, I propose taking the more “scenic route” via the Ptarmigan ridge for the ascent, then descending via the main tourist path back to the car park. If the weather is inclement then an ascent and descent via the tourist path is proposed.
The path to the Ptarmigan ridge leaves the West Highland Way path about 1km north of the car park and rises steeply through woods before heading directly NE up the Ptarmigan ridge to a summit at 778m. A short descent is followed by a turn SE and a steeper climb over rocky ground to Ben Lomond’s summit. The return will be made via the “tourist path” down the south ridge before descending SW into the forest and returning to the car park via the visitor centre.
(Click for a bigger view)
| Distance | 11.7km |
| Total ascent | 987m |
| Likely time | 5 - 6 hours |
There are toilets at the visitor centre and there is a chance to stop at the Rowardennan Hotel for refreshments after the walk and before our return to Glasgow.
What next?
If you would like to go on this walk please let me know by Wednesday 8th April. Please indicate if you are happy to car-share and I shall attempt to coordinate this.
James Anderson, Ben Lomond Organiser
m: 07454 969694
