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Route
Map for Ben
Vorlich
BEN VORLICH -
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Location:
Loch Earn, Perthshire
Map=OS Landranger 51, 57 ( GR 629 189 )
Distance: 8miles [ 13km ]
Time: 4hours 15 minutes
Terrain: tracks and paths Finely featured Ben Vorlich and its broader
neighbour Stuc a' Chroin dominate the northern skyline when viewed from
the Forth valley. In fact, Vorlich spreads its influence even wider,
projecting its pointed summit
above the western skyline for much of the A9 through Strathallan.
Both peaks can be climbed together, but they are more enjoyably tackled
separately from different directions. Ben Vorlich is the higher of the
two, but the ascent from Ardvorlich on Loch Earn to the north is a
shorter route than that to Stuc a‘ Chroin from the high ground above
Callander to the south. But what Vortich lacks in distance it makes up
for in rocky steepness.
To access the route up Vorlich, leave the A84 just south of
Lochearnhead and follow the minor road round the south side of Loch
Earn to loch side parking at Ardvorlich. Gain the east gate and walk up
the track, the start of the right of way to Callander, following the
signs to Ben Vorlich. The signposted route goes right then left to a
track, which ascends behind
the main house to a gate leading to the open hillside. Continue on the
track above the Ardvorlich Burn, keeping right where the right of way
goes
left, until it ends at a bridge over the burn from Coire Buidhe between
Ben Vorlich and Ben Our. From here follow the path up the east side of
Coire Buidhe, aiming for the north ridge.
The path becomes significantly steeper and rougher as you climb the side
of the ridge, then eases off once the broad crest of the ridge is
gained. A final steep slope of scree and boulders leads to a grassy
slope, the summit ridge and the trig point.
The one metre lower east summit is a short distance along the ridge and
Stuc a‘ Chroin is clear to the south.
From the summit follow the path west and then south-west down the ridge
leading to the Bealach an Dubh Choirein, the col between Ben Vorlich
and Stuc a’ Chroin. At the col drop down slightly into the top
of Coire Fhuadaraich to the north west, then traverse to the right to
pick up a well-used path crossing the west face of Ben Vortich to the
col between Ben Vorlich and Ben Our at the head of Coire Buidhe. This
path continues below the north-west face to join the approach path just
below the point where it gains the crest of the north ridge.
