Ben Lawers was long thought to top 4000 feet, and when the exactitudes of Victorian cartography shaved a fraction from its height some local chaps were so incensed that they built a massive summit cairn to make up the shortfall. This has since collapsed. Still, as the UK's 10th highest mountain and the tallest outside Lochaber and the Cairngorms Ben Lawers remains a very big beast, its altitude and inland position making it a snow magnet. It's a popular ski touring hill, and ideal for winter walkers in search of the white stuff too. This is a range of many Munro summits and a full traverse of the lot gives the best value day out. But when there's deep snow to slow progress and limited daylight to fit it all in then a quick there-and-back over Beinn Ghlas to Ben Lawers itself will be enough for most people. This route is over-busy and a bit dull in summer, but much grander in the snow. A high start from the old NTS visitor centre (now demolished) gives you a leg-up on the day - provided, that is, that the minor road from Loch Tay is passable (they don't plough it).
Detailed description
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 6.34 miles (10.20 km)
Total ascent: 970m
Steepest Gradient: 42% (1 in 2)
Time: 4 – 6 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:NTS car park at the site of the old visitor centre (work currently underway here as of Jan12) - alternative verge parking available nearby, NN608379
Nearest town:
Killin
Terrain:
A clear well-made path all the way.
Seasonal variations:
In some snow conditions there may be an avalanche risk. The edges of the Beinn Ghlas - Ben Lawers ridge may be quite heavily corniced, while a bit of care will be needed on the final slopes of Ben Lawers if it's icy. An axe and crampons are often worth having.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Cairngorms & Monadhliath – Met Office: East Highlands
Public transport:
Infrequent buses on the A827 between Killin and Aberfeldy, followed by a quick walk (or hitch) up the Lawers road
Guidebooks:
The Munros, SMC
Maps:
OS Explorer 378 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 51 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Killin (08707 200 627)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH