With staycations looking like the safest holiday option for some time I thought I’d add a little Scotland section and tell you about some of the things I love to see and do in my own country. – first up, Ben Lomond.
We’ve had five-mile travel restrictions in place in Scotland which has prevented us from doing much exploring during lockdown. This has been so frustrating, especially because so many people have chosen to ignore the guidance and go regardless. We waited it out and just as the restrictions were lifted decided to head to our local Munro for an early morning climb.
Ben Lomond is Scotland’s most southerly Munro and stands tall above Loch Lomond at a height of 974m/3196ft. It’s proximity to Glasgow and the central belt makes it a very popular climb. On a good day the path to the top will be busy, so an early start for us was a must! The total route can take around 4.5-6 hours on average. We chose this for our first post-lockdown outing because it’s local, has a well-defined path, we’ve climbed it before and we have a map for it.
We arrived at the car park at Rowardennan (the most easterly point of Loch Lomond reachable by car) just before 7am and paid our £3 all day parking. There were only four cars there before us – result! Shortly after we were ready and heading off in to the trees.
The route
The most popular route up Ben Lomond is the well-defined tourist trail. The path takes walkers through the forest before reaching the open hill with rewarding views of the loch below.
The path climbs gently to begin with before you need to negotiate some steps to reach higher ground. Once out of the trees the path continues along with some zig-zags up the steep ground before levelling out on the mountain’s shoulder. This is a welcome relief and is a good place to conserve some energy for the final climb ahead.
After the flatter section there are a final two zig-zags to climb up the final cone of the mountain. The views along here become truly impressive as you traverse along a ridge towards the summit, reached by a short easy scramble.
The view from the trig point is stunning and on a clear day you can see for miles in all directions. It’s rare to be alone at the top and due to covid we weren’t keen to hang about there. We decided to head back down and take our coffee break in a more secluded spot.
The easiest return is by the same path, but if you are up for more of a challenge you can return down the Ptarmigan ridge. The initial descent this way involves some hands on scrambling before the path eases up. This route affords great views west to the Arrochar Alps and north to the Crianlarich Munros. The path is clear but can be wet and muddy in places. Most of the way down we were walking in running water. The descent can be tough on your knees and ankles so wearing proper boots is essential.
On this occasion we were super lucky with the weather. It was warm in the sun but there was a chilly wind so we needed our jackets, hats and gloves on the summit and on the more exposed ptarmigan route.
Safety first!
This is the second time we have climbed Ben Lomond and we were well prepared with the correct equipment and supplies. I would not recommend climbing Ben Lomond, or any other Munros, in anything less than walking shoes. The weather up a Munro can change in a moment so I would recommend ensuring you have sufficient warm and waterproof layers with you. The weather on the summit can be quite different from the weather in the car park. Finally, bring enough food and water to last you the whole climb AND a bit extra – just in case of bad weather or if you are delayed on your journey.
On arrival back at the car park we were shocked to see how many cars were there. The car park was full and there were still people arriving. Cars were parked on the verge and in laybys. The Government are still advising that if somewhere looks too busy then it probably is and you shouldn’t stay. I would definitely not have been comfortable climbing the hill if we’d arrived at the same time as many other people.
We had planned to cook some lunch by the loch but instead just enjoyed the view for a while and then headed home. A lochside brunch can wait for another day.
Fancy climbing Ben Lomond yourself?
You can find detailed information about the route here on Walk Highlands. Make sure you are fully prepared before you head out. Mountaineering Scotland are a great resource for ensuring you are keeping safe in the hills.
Ben Lomond is typically thought of as an “easy” Munro but this just really means it’s easily accessible. It has a well defined path and is not technically hard. Regardless, climbing continually uphill is a challenge whatever your fitness level and you will be doing this for upwards of 2 hours. It’s not for the fainthearted. It requires a lot of mental strength as well as physical strength, however it is a very rewarding experience. It’s no wonder that ‘Munro bagging’ is a popular hobby.
Have you climbed Ben Lomond before or can recommend me another Munro to try? Share your experiences in the comments!
Wow what an experience! I’ve only actually been on staycations for the last few years and I’m keen to experience more of the UK! Such beautiful sights!
This looks absolutely stunning! I’ve never actually done anything like this before but I would certainly be up for it! The views are amazing! x