Location:
lnveruglas, Loch Lomond
Map: OS Landranger 56 ( GR 295125 )
Distance: 8 miles /12.5km
Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Terrain: hill paths Ben Vorlich is an
extensive mountain which can be climbed from several directions. One of
the most popular starting points is Ardlui to
the east, but Inveruglas to the
south offers quicker and easier access, besides an opportunity to
ascend the long and less frequented south ridge.
From the large car park at lnveruglas, just north of Sloy Power
Station, follow the signposted path past the power plant back to the
padlocked access road to Coriegrogain farm and Loch Sloy dam.
Go through the kissing gate and follow the road under the railway
bridge.
There's a shortcut on the left almost immediately after the bridge onto
a path which ascends beside the Inveruglas Water to meet the access
road after the big bend. This passes through pleasant
woodland but can be boggy in places.
After the initial ascent from Loch Lomond,
the access road levels out below the broad frontal face of Ben
Vorlich's south ridge.
The route ascends to the right of a burn with scattered trees in its
lower reaches in the centre of the face. Although
there are scattered animal paths, there's no established path. It may
look steep from below but don't worry, it's not too had.
At the electricity sub-station, turn right on to a subsidiary access
road which traverses east across the hillside below the face.
Gain the hillside as soon as possible beyond the burn and ascend
steadily up grassy and heathery slopes with some bracken to reach the
broad upper ridge where the ground levels out. The ascent gives fine
views east to Loch Lomond, lnversnaid and Ben
Ledi beyond and west to Ben Vane
and Beinn Ime.
Once you're on the ridge a path leads north over a series of knobbly
tops towards the summit. The most enjoyable route takesthe ridge direct
although the rockier sections can be bypassed by a path on the right.
Beyond the second top the route joins the well-worn path ascending from
Loch Sloy and becomes much wider, continuing through a broad trough
created
by a massive landslip on the west face, to arrive at a tiny lochan.
The main path continues to the left, but the most direct and
straightforward route is to stick to the high ground further right.
Here a lesser path skirts to the right of the small crag gains the
ridge and
leads directly to the trig point on the south top.
From here. continue along the ridge to the summit, about two metres
higher, which is marked by a cairn on a small crag.
Return by reversing the line of ascent or, though a little longer,
descending by the Loch Sloy path to the access road. The top of this
path is steep and eroded with scrambly sections, while the bottom is
quite boggy. From here follow the access road which heads back to the
electricity sub-station and Inverugias.
Location: Ardlui,
Loch Lomond
Map: OS Landranger 56 ( GR 295 125 )
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Time: 5 hours
Terrain: hill paths
Big Ben Vorlieh dominates the northern end of Loch Lomond and offers a
relatively straightforward ascent to a high summit with extensive
views. Under snow and ice the mountain is certainly trickier with a
couple of rocky steps to be negotiated and full winter gear of ice axe
and crampons are essential.
The approach from Ardui via Coire Creagach is a popular route and can
he combined with a return over the east-north-east ridge of the Little
Hills.
Park in the layby opposite the underpass leading to Ardlui Station and
walk south back along the road for about 100 metres. Go through the
next underpass under the railway and follow the track to a gate and
stile on the left. Cross the burn and head up and right to a further
gate giving access to the open hillside. Continue ascending in the same
line on a wet and ill-defined path aiming for the wooded base of
craggy-crested Stuc na Nughinn, the first of the Little Hills which
lies directly ahead to the south-east. This brings you to a stile in a
fence on the edge of the prominent
deep-cut burn draining from Coire Creagach from where the path becomes
much better defined.
Follow the path to a small dam and pipeline, then ascend directly from
a small bridge over the pipeline before a second small dam, to gain an
upper corrie, then north-west to the col between Ben Vorlich and Stub
nan Coinnich Bhacain. From here the broad north-east ridge leads to the
North Top, followed by the summit, capped by a cairn. The trig point
just to the south crowns the southern summit, which is two metres
lower. The views are spectacular, with the Paps of Jura and Ben More on
Mull visible out west.
For all the extra distanee it is worth continuing south to the trig
point topped southern summit for a fine view to Ben Lomond and down
Loch Lomond.
From the summit head north-east to gain the ridge line and follow it
east to the col below the first of the Little Hills. Go over this 808m
summit and descend its rocky eastem side with care to the next col.
Another small top is climbed before the 793m cairned top of the second
Little Hill.
From here turn north and follow the long ridge steadily down towards
Ardlui and Loch Lomond, passing over the knobbles of Stnc na Nughinn to
the
foot of the ridge, where a steeper descent between crags leads to the
treeline and a fence and stile above the prominent deep-cut burn. With
care it is possible to follow the fence left and down to the burn,
cross over and ascend beside a continuation fence to reach the stile on
the ascent route.
Alternatively, go over the stile and continue down the ridge to cross
the burn lower down, or continue on to pass under the railway before
Stuckendrion farm to gain the main road and follow it back to Ardlui.