Ben Ledi – The Trossachs' Highest Hill
About 6.2 miles on foot.
Ben Ledi is the big hill that fills the sky above Callander, and at 879 metres it's the highest in the Trossachs.
The climb is steep and the ground rough in places, but the reward is one of the great views of the southern Highlands, with Loch Lubnaig far below and peak after peak to the north and west. It's a full hill day for fit, well-equipped walkers, with a late lunch at the Lade Inn at the foot of the hill.
- Time
- Four and a half to five and a half hours for the 6-mile loop by Stank Glen; up and back the same way is 4¾ miles.
- The path
- A steep hill path, rough and narrow in places, with rough stone steps, a stile and boggy patches; not waymarked.
- Where to start
- Forestry and Land Scotland's Ben Ledi car park, free: off the A84 between Kilmahog and the south end of Loch Lubnaig, signed for Strathyre Cabins, left just over the bridge; very busy on summer weekends; postcode FK17 8HF.
- Set off
- The car park; the hill path leaves from its north end.
- When to go
- Open hill at all hours in daylight and clear weather; from November to February set off by 9.30am. The Lade Inn serves food every day.
- Children
- A steep, high hill of four to five and a half hours: for older children used to hill days.
- Toilets
- No toilets at the car park; the nearest are in Callander or Strathyre.
- Before you set out
- From November to February set off by 9.30am. After snow the top is a winter mountain, with a dangerous cornice above the corrie east of the summit.
The walk
Park in Forestry and Land Scotland's free Ben Ledi car park. From the A84 between Kilmahog and the south end of Loch Lubnaig, turn off at the sign for Strathyre Cabins, cross the bridge and turn left at once. It gets very busy on summer weekends, and there are no toilets; the nearest are in Callander or Strathyre. The path climbs steeply through the forest and out onto the hill, then up the long ridge over three false tops to the summit.
On the top stand a cairn and an iron cross, a memorial to a Killin Mountain Rescue team member killed in 1987. Up and back the same way is 4¾ miles. The loop back by the pass of Bealach nan Corp and the waterfalls of Stank Glen is 6 miles with 760 metres of climbing, and takes four and a half to five and a half hours. Its turn off the bealach isn't marked, so if the ground starts to rise again, you've missed it.
The route isn't waymarked: take a map and compass, boots, waterproofs, warm layers and food, and turn back if the cloud comes down. From November to February set off by 9.30am, and after snow it's a winter mountain, with a dangerous cornice above the corrie east of the top. Check for ticks afterwards.
If it rains
Ben Ledi is no place in rain, wind or cloud: the top is open and the view is the point. On a wet day walk the cycle path from the car park down to the Falls of Leny instead, about 15 minutes each way, then go to the Lade Inn.
Afterwards
4 min by car
The Lade Inn
Lunch
Back at the car, the Lade Inn is 4 minutes' drive down the A84 at Kilmahog. It's a family-run pub at the foot of the hill with its own house ales, hearty home-made food, a big garden and a fire in the bar. Food is usually served from noon to 8.45pm, from 12.30pm on Sundays, but ring 01877 330152 to check and to book, as it's a small team that takes large bookings. Children are welcome, and dogs are too, in the bothy bar: say so when you book. If it's full, Mhor Bread on Callander's Main Street, just over a mile on, bakes bread, pies and cakes and opens every day, 8am to 5pm.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book a table at the Lade Inn on 01877 330152 for after the hill (it's a small team that takes large bookings), and say if you're bringing a dog so they can seat you in the bothy bar.
Where to eat
Mhor Bread, a café in Callander.
Ben Ledi Coffee Company, a café in Callander.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by Tom MacDonald and The Lade Inn via Google