The Scottish Highlands

Ben Challum

Photographs of the Munro Ben Challum

and neighbouring peaks

of the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Challum Circuit

Ben Challum ( 3354ft, 1025m )

from River Cononish

Beinn Challum ( Beinn Chaluim ) is in the north

of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs NP.

It is rises above the West Highland Way

on the approach to Tyndrum

Ben Challum and Loch Dochart

from Ben More

Ben Challum

on ascent of Cruach Ardrain

Ben Challum from Ben More

Ben Challum

at the head of Glen Lochay

Wikipedia - Ben Challum

Ben Challum

at the head of Glen Lochay

Wikipedia - Ben Challum

Ben Challum

from Creag Mhor

Wikipedia - Ben Challum

Ben Challum

on ascent of Meall Glas

North Face of Ben Challum

from Carn Chreag

Ben Challum

from An Caisteal

Ben Challum

beyond Glen Cononish

from Ben Lui

Ben Challum

from Beinn Bhreac-liath

Ben More, Stob Binnein and Ben Challum

at start of winter ascent of Ben Challum

Motoring - Jaguar XJ6

Ben Lui and Beinn Chuirn

at start of ascent of Ben Challum

Ben Lui

on ascent of Ben Challum

Ridge to summit

of Ben Challum

Ben More and Stob Binnien

from Ben Challum

Ben More and Stob Binnien

and Stob Garbh and Cruach Ardrain

from Ben Challum

Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Lui from Summit of Ben Challum

Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Lui

from Summit Cairn

of Ben Challum

View from Ben Challum

of Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig

and Ben Lui

Summit of Ben Challum

Ben Dorain

from Ben Challum

Ben Dorain

from Summit of Ben Challum

Skiing the Munros

Summit of Ben Challum

Skiing the Munros

Summit of Ben Challum

Skiing the Munros

Ben Dorain

from Ben Challum

Ascent Route Map

for Ben Challum

BEN CHALLUM - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Stirlingshire
Map: OS Landranger 50
Distance: 7 miles (12km)
Time: 5-6 hours
Grade: Moderate mountain walk

Linking mountain walks with historical sites adds perspective to a walk and reminds one that most of our so-called wild land areas have not always been so untamed. An understanding of the history of land use and of those who once lived and worked in these areas allows us to appreciate what we have today. Indeed, such knowledge sometimes allows us to appreciate who we are today, as Scots.
The ascent of the Munro Ben Challum from Strath Fillan is, at ﬁrst sight, fairly straightforward, quick and offers the chance to visit what’s left of St Fillan's Priory, just beside Kirkton farmhouse on the West Highland Way - Faolan, or little wolf, was apparently the son of Kentigerna, a princess from Ulster, and for centuries after his death it was believed the bones of his left arm held miraculous properties. Indeed, according to Seton Gordon, the silver reliquary that contained St Fillan’s bones was presented by the Abbot of Inchaffray to the kneeling Scottish army on the morning of the Battle of Bannockburn. There's not a lot left to see of the priory, but opposite its ruins the path to Ben Challum (1025m/3363ft ) climbs past a couple of graveyards, crosses the railway line then wriggles its way up over bracken-covered hillocks past the rocky outcrops of Creag Loisgte. The south ridge of the hill is better formed than the map suggests and it's an easy climb to the south summit. In misty weather you just have to follow the fence posts. Ben Challum has two tops, and this is the lower one.
This south top of Ben Challum can be confusing in the mist as you have to descend slightly west to gain a short, rocky ridge, which in turn drops to a high bealach between the two tops. it's then an easy climb to the real summit from where, as one of the highest hills in the old hunting forest of Mamlorn, the views can be spectacular, with Ben More and Stob Binian dominant to the south and the Bridge of Orchy hills close by to the north.

Route:
Start and finish at Kirkton Farm, Strathfillan ( GR: NN360283 ).
From the remains of St Fillan’s Priory near the farm follow the middle track uphill to the left of the old cemetery and cross the West Highland railway line. There is a footbridge just east of the level crossing.
Leave the path and take to the hillside in a NE direction. There is a very sketchy path.
Continue over grassy slopes, over some bracken knolis then over flatter ground and a slight knoll where fenceposts to your right show the
direction uphill.
Where the fenceposts end walk a short distance to pass a small cairn then reach the S top at 997m.
The summit lies to the N but descend slightly W from the S top for a few metres to find a ridge that descends gradually then gives a short pull to the large summit cairn.
Return by the same route.