Ben Lomond, located on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, is the southernmost Munro in Scotland and a popular destination with stunning views of the surrounding hills and the Loch. From its peak, you can enjoy magnificent vistas of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. Due to its proximity to Glasgow, it is one of the most frequently climbed mountains in Scotland. Loch Lomond itself is the largest area of fresh water on the British mainland. In this post, we’ll be discussing how to climb Ben Lomond.
What is Munro?
Munros are mountains in Scotland that stand over 3,000 feet (914 meters) tall. They were named after Sir Hugh Munro (1856-1919) who created a list of the 283 highest mountains in Scotland, known as Munro’s Tables. The official list of Munros, recognized by the National Trust of Scotland, now contains 282 peaks.
How to reach to Climb Ben Lomond:
Ben Lomond is located near Glasgow City and can be easily accessed from the Rowardennan Car Park, which is approximately an hour’s drive from Glasgow. Once you have parked your car at the designated lot or overflow parking area, you can begin your journey.
Details of how to climb Ben Lomond:
Ben Lomond Peak stands 990 meters tall. Our journey took us about 7 hours to complete, although it typically takes only 5 hours. Unfortunately, I forgot to start the GPS tracking at the beginning of the hike, so I am uncertain about the exact distance we covered. The hike begins at the Rowardennan car park, which can become crowded during peak season. If you arrive after 9:30 am, it’s best to park in the overflow parking area instead of attempting to park in the main lot and then having to turn around and go to the overflow area. This will save you around 20-25 minutes. The overflow parking lot is located half a mile behind the main car park on the right-hand side. Keep an eye out for the sign.
What path to choose to climb the peak of Ben Lomond:
To reach the peak, there are two options. We took the path outlined in the Route Map. If you parked in the overflow car park, just follow the sign board. In my opinion, the path back is challenging for beginners. If you’re not confident, you can use the same route to return. However, I recommend taking a different route to avoid monotony and enjoy a new experience. But don’t attempt to climb using the return path as it’s steep and challenging. During your return trip, you will have the opportunity to view some beautiful waterfalls along the way. I would like to express my gratitude to the individual who operates the honesty shop at the conclusion of our journey. We were able to enjoy some refreshing beverages and settle the payment at a later time via Paypal.
Before the journey:
If you’re new to climbing and would like a checklist of items to bring for your climb, here are some suggestions. It’s recommended that you bring:
- Boots
- Comfortable woollen socks
- Comfortable trousers (avoid jeans or shorts). I am telling you to avoid shorts for midges and horseflies.
- midges repellent cream like smidge cream
- Suncream, Cap and sunglass if it’s sunny.
- Enough water as you will not get any until you return to the car park
- juice/ drinks of your choice.
- Snacks like nuts, fruits, chocolates, or anything you like
- Light lunch, for example, sandwiches
- Rucksack or backpack
- Plasters in case of blisters
- Hot drink in a flask, if you are coffee/tea lover like me and want to enjoy the sip sitting on the top of the peak.
- For clothing, it’s better to have layers
- T-shirt
- fleece or hoodie
- Light waterproof jacket
- Waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers in case of rain
- Plastic bag
- If it is raining s spear socks, a T-shirt, trousers, and underwear to change after the walk.
Just a heads up, the temperature at the peak will be at least 10 degrees cooler than at the car park. During the summer, there may be a significant number of midges on the hill, so it’s best to be prepared for them.