Ben More, Stob Binnein - Crianlarich Hills - Mar 2004

Ben More, Stob Binnein Information

Ben More and Stob Binnein; highest peaks south of the Tay standing at 16th and 18th place respectively on the Munro charts they offer a brilliant days walk especially if you get the weather.  They are the furthest north of all the Crianlarich hills and can be seen from the summit of mostly all hills in the central Highlands, easily recognisable due to the elegant shape of the Ben More - Stob Binnein bealach and basically because there huge and stick out above the rest.  Just 2 minutes east of Crianlarich they are very accessible.  These hills follow the path of the Benmore Burn in Glen Dochart which acts as a trusty landmark.  Just always head up the left hand side of the burn.  These are a couple of the more popular Munros so if your doing these at a weekend expect hefty traffic up the hill.

Ben More, Stob Binnein Route

Go up the A82 to Crianlarich and then turn right onto the A85 Now on your way along this road look out for a big farm on your right this is Benmore Farm and your starting location for the hills.  Its then just a case of then finding the nearest lay by on the road to park in.  There are quite a few.  Head back to Benmore farm and walk about 100 yards north east along the road you will see a sign that says To Ben More.  Thanks for that ! this takes you up a road follow this until you get to the base of Ben More there's supposedly a path up Ben More but I didn't see it until half way up the hill so if you find it good for you otherwise make your way up the best you can its a bit boring at this stage not much to see but to your right you can see a very impressive Ben Lui and out towards the Cruachan hills.  You also get a brilliant shot over Crianlarich.  Continuing up you will come across a very rocky area this makes a good rest point.  I found the path at this point so following this it will take you right to the summit.  I love the summit of this hill as you can see for miles right across all the ranges of the other hills and the image of Stob Binnein is brilliant.  Its pretty obvious where your going next so head down the other side of the summit there is a path I think that takes you all the way up the bealach to the summit of Stob Binnein.  The bealach looks much better from Ben More than when you are actually on it, infact its a bit of a let down.  The summit of Stob Binnein is also a fine site, it is a pin point summit with barely enough room for more than 2 people, but housing a pretty impressive cairn due to this hill being so popular.  I had climbed Ben Lui before I done this hill climbing it from the other side near Tyndrum so it was really strange seeing it next to me looking very different from the way I climbed it.  Coming back down on this hill is brilliant.  I walked back down the bealach and then headed straight down to the head of the Benmore Burn you can see exactly where you are going.  One of the fastest descends I have ever done but watch out there are a couple of unseen small cliffs on your way down so don't be too clumsy.  Once your down to the burn its a gentle stroll along the bank until you join the Benmore Farm road you came in on.  Ben More overshadows you on the right although it does not look as high from this point the full height can only really be seen from the A85 at the farm.  Just follow the farm road back out onto the A85 and there you go.

The weather when I climbed this hill was surprisingly good.  it was supposed to be overcast and there was a huge piece of cloud over Ben More when I arrived hiding the summit but cleared by the time we reached it.  Extremely clear after that and meant you were able to see for miles right over to Tyndrum and Cruachan hills and up by Glencoe.  Definitely recommend a clear day for doing these hills.     

Ben More, Stob Binnein Photos / Images/ Maps

   Sleepy Crianlarich from Ben More, Tyndrum hills behind                     Long elegant slopes of Stob Binnein

   The south ridge of Stob Binnein an excellent route I'm told        Ben Lui and Ben Cruachan (I think?) from Ben More

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