Ben Vorlich, near Loch Lomond, is a favourite Munro fairly close to home. I don’t know how many times I have summitted this 943m mountain but the push up the steep slope never seems any easier.
The mountain, which I usually start from Inveruglas, was one of my first Munros and I have since walked it many times on its own and also as part of a series of summits in the Arrochar Alps.
On its own, the out-and-back route is 8.5 miles and close to 945m of ascent because you begin at sea level.
The Inveruglas hydro-electric power station is located nearby with pipelines running through the mountain from Loch Sloy. The route I usually take is from Loch Sloy.
Ben Vorlich: Walk-run of the return route
There is a short section along the main A82, from Inveruglas car park (there is a charge). You join an obvious wide track heading uphill through moorland. This land is farmed and there is usually livestock.
The track goes on and on uphill – it’s maybe 4km – but at a fairly easy gradient. Hubby G and I aimed to run as much of this track as we could last time we did the route.
Just before a huge dam, you join a narrow path that rises steeply to your right. This path is relentless until around 800m where there is a slightly flatter section. Then there’s a final push to the top.
Note that there are two cairns. First you reach a trig point and cairn, but the true summit is about 200m further on with another cairn.
If you are there on a fine day – we were not! – the views over the area are superb. You’ll also see Ben Lui.
G and I treated the route as a bit of training. We did it at a run or fast walk, both up and down. The weather was clagged in and windy at the top but brightened as we descended.
Also see Four Arrochar Munros in a day.