Ben More

Ben More stands in the southern Scottish Highlands near Crianlarich, a Munro rising to 1,174 metres. It is the highest peak in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and overlooks the Crianlarich Hills to the south-east. The mountain is separated from its neighbour Stob Binnein by a narrow col called the Bealach-eadar-dà-Bheinn. On its north side lies a long-lasting snow patch named the Cuidhe Chrom, which often remains until early summer. This patch is uniquely marked on Ordnance Survey maps of the area. The mountain’s Gaelic name, Beinn Mhòr, means ‘the great mountain’. The simplest route up Ben More starts from Benmore Farm on the A85. Walkers follow the Benmore Burn path before turning onto the steep northwest ridge. The ridge climbs 1,000 metres in about four kilometres, making for a challenging ascent. An alternative is the northeast ridge, reached via the burn of Allt Coire Chaorach, which is craggier and less steep. The mountain is often climbed together with Stob Binnein by descending to the col between them. The Killin Mountain Rescue Team provides cover for incidents on the mountain. From the summit, broad views stretch across the Highlands and down to Loch Lomond. The ridge paths offer rocky scrambles and steady climbs, with forestry on the lower slopes giving way to open slopes higher up. The mountain’s slopes hold the remains of past air crashes, including a 1973 Vickers Viscount that struck the north-east face. A webcam near Crianlarich shows the mountain every ten minutes, capturing its changing weather and snow cover.