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A stony track leading across grass towards Ben Lui, its two ridges rising either side of a great corrie.
Crianlarich and Tyndrum

Ben Lui

A Munro of 1,131 metres, number 27 of the 282.

On the hill todayI was up today
The hill

Ben Lui, Beinn Laoigh in Gaelic, is the highest of a group of four Munros just west of Crianlarich.

Forestry and Land Scotland points to its steep ridge and its high corries, which can hold snow late into the spring. A large cairn marks the true summit.

The start
There are two: Forestry and Land Scotland's Glen Lochy car park on the A85, or a community woodland car park just off the A82 near Cononish Farm, where a track leads in.
From Glen Lochy
Forestry and Land Scotland calls it a tough route, with a river crossing and lots of boggy paths.
Under snow
No avalanche forecast covers this hill, but that does not mean there is no risk under snow. The avalanche service's forecasts begin on 17 December 2026.
Summit
Grid reference NN 266 262
Car park
Glen Lochy, on the south side of the A85 between Tyndrum and Dalmally, run by Forestry and Land Scotland. In 2026 it costs £3 for all day or £1 for up to an hour, by card or RingGo, and is free with a Blue Badge.
Getting in and out
The entrance comes off a busy, fast A road. Forestry and Land Scotland asks drivers to use the bottom parking area, furthest from the entrance.
Toilets and food
The nearest toilets and places to eat are in Dalmally and Tyndrum.
On the hill today
0° to 3°Rain on the summit, 1,131 m. Feels like −4° in the wind.

West wind to 11 mph, gusting 22
Rain, about 7 mm
Light from 7.52am to 6.16pm, ten hours

Sat 17Mostly clear−3° to 3° on top · 5 mph, gusts 12
Sun 18Clear−4° to 3° on top · 9 mph, gusts 18
Mon 19Cloudy−6° to 5° on top · 9 mph, gusts 18

A weather model's forecast for the height of the summit, not a report from the hill. Read the mountain forecast the evening before: West Highlands forecast, Ben Lui, Stirling.

October2026

MTWTFSS

Going another day?

Choose the day you mean to climb.Near or far: the light you will have, and what the summit is likely to be doing.

Photographs by Laurent Quaedvlieg, Thomas Connelly (TC) and Lea Stakenborg, via Google

This is a tough route that involves a river crossing and lots of boggy paths.Forestry and Land Scotland, of the way up from its Glen Lochy car park
Before you go

Carry

  • A paper map and a compass, and the skill to use them
  • Waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves
  • Food and drink
  • A head torch, a whistle and a first aid kit
  • A survival bag
  • Boots with a good grip

Under snow and ice this is a different day, with short light and the risk of avalanche. It needs an ice axe, crampons, winter boots and the skill to use them.

If something goes wrong

  • Dial 999, ask for the police, then mountain rescue
  • Give a six-figure grid reference: the summit is NN 266 262
  • Say how many are hurt, how many are with you, and your number
  • Register to text 999 before the day: text the word register to 999

The summit is optional. Turning back is the right decision whenever the cloud, the wind or the light say so.

How to call for help in the hills · Safety and skills for the hills · ThinkWINTER

From our readers

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From the magazine
Read more elsewhere

For the route itself, take the map and read these.

Sleep and eat at its foot

Next along: Beinn a' Chleibh, Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig, Beinn Bhuidhe. Checked on 9 October 2026. The facts on this page are Forestry and Land Scotland's and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland's; the forecasts are the Mountain Weather Information Service's and the Met Office's. Height and position from The Database of British and Irish Hills, v18.3, adapted, CC BY 4.0. This page is not a route description and does not replace a map.