www. stevenfallon .co.uk
peaks





ascent
distance
time


start/finish

maps
Ben Vorlich (985m, Munro 165)
Stuc a'Chroin (975m, Munro 182)

Beinn Each (813m, Corbett)
Meall na Fearna (809m, Corbett)

1190m (3900ft)
14km (19m)
running : 1:50hr, walking : 5:30hr*
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent 

Ardvorlich (NN633232)

OS landranger 51 and 57
main route summary
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin are prominant landmarks, seen rising above the Braes O'Doune windfarm when viewed from the south. The routes described here head in along good tracks and paths from Loch Earn to the north and from Loch Lubnaig to the south. Ben Vorlich is ascended without any difficulties, however Stuc a'Chroin may require some scrambling if connecting with Ben Vorlich via Bealach an Dubh Choirein. The main routes can easily be extended to include the corbetts Beinn Each and Meall nan Fearna.


main route outline

Getting there
On the A84, just south of the village of Lochearnhead, a minor road heads east along the southern shores of Loch Earn. Drive along this for just over 4km to where the road comes close to the banks of the loch and park on the verge under the trees. On summer weekends and particularly in the fishing season, it may be difficult to find a space, in which case there are more opportunities beyond the bridge over Ardvorlich Burn.

Ben Vorlich
From Loch Earn's shore, head along the road and over the bridge across Ardvorlich Burn. Turn up the drive through the trees, past some buildings until you see grand Ardvorlich House. A sign points the way up to Ben Vorlich. Head up the track for 2km and cross the burn coming down Coire Buidhe - this is a fine place to stop at the end of the day and cool off tired feet in the clear water. From the bridge, a well maintained path continues to the lower slopes of Ben Vorlich. At around c550m the path takes a sharp turn left uphill, notice directly ahead there is another fainter path contouring around the hill - this is the return route from Stuc a'Chroin. The path continuing uphill to Ben Vorlich is not maintained, but is well-worn and obvious to follow. Continue up it to the summit, zig-zagging through loose scree higher up. Great views are to be had from the trig-point, with the Lawers and Crianlarich peaks well displayed.

Stuc a'Chroin
A line of fence-posts and path run westwards from the crest of Ben Vorlich. From the trig-point follow these to drop down to Bealach an Dubh Choirein. The path crosses the bealach then ends up at the foot of the northern face of Stuc a'Chroin. Ahead is an easy scramble over boulders and loose ground with occasional stretches of path to follow. Climb up this and reach the cairn on the minor northern top. If you can't face the scramble, then from Bealach an Dubh Choirein pick up a path heading west-south-west, initially dropping slightly and cross some grassy ground to reach the start of a steep but hazard-free incline. Climb up this and reach the crest of the north-west shoulder at around c850m, then turn left (south-east) and attain the cairn on the minor northern top. A memorial plaque is embedded in the cairn. From the cairn, follow the line of fence-posts south to the main summit and its two cairns.

Return
Follow the fence-posts back along the crest to the dip before the rise to the cairn on the minor northern top. Turn left (north-west-north), cross some boulders and grass to a bealach on Stuc a'Chroin's north-west shoulder. A small cairn marks the descent to Bealach an Dubh Choirein (described in reverse in the previous paragraph), which is loose, but straightforward on an obvious path. Below on grassy ground, follow the path which keeps to the north-west and slightly below the bealach. The path gradually turns north as it contours around Ben Vorlich and reaches the flat wide col above Coire Buidhe. Keep on the path into the coire and follow it until it eventually rejoins the main path (as described earlier), which is then followed back to Loch Earn.




Race route up Stuc a'Chroin
Stuc a'Chroin race is a popular hillrace taking place on the first weekend in May. From Strathyre, heading up Beinn Each to Stuc a'Chroin and return, the record stands at just under 2hours !

The well marked route starts from the forestry cabin on the south side of the village of Strathyre and heads up the forestry tracks. Upon reaching the end of the track, a rough faint path heads steeply and directly uphill. The ground levels out, becomes marshy and the route follows a line of fence-posts to near Meall Mor. Before this minor summit, you are directed down a steep descent through thick heather to the watershed in Glen Ample. Another very faint, rough path follows a line of fence-posts uphill to reach more open ground and Beinn Each's summit. The race continues on an obvious well-worn path along the crest, crosses Bealach nan Cabar and a minor summit, then approaches Stuc a'Chroin from the south-west.

Returning to Bealach nan Cabar, runners are directed down to Glen Ample to the watershed, from where they retrace their tracks back to the start.

Ascent : 1500m, distance : 22km

More info on Stuc a'Chroin Race website or Scottish Hill Racing

Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here


alternative

Meall nan Fearna and Ben Vorlich
Start from Ardvorlich as described in the main route and head up the track. After just over 1km and just after crossing a burn there is a split in the track. The main route heads right, but turn off left to bag Meall na Fearna. The path is much fainter than the main Ben Vorlich one, but follow it for around 2km, then turn east uphill over pathless grass and heather covered ground and reach Beinn Domhnuill. Turn south and ahead is a pleasant trudge over heathery ground to reach Meall na Fearna, with the last few metres being a bit bouldery.

Head west from the corbett's summit down to the pass between Geln Vorlich and Gleann an Dubh Choirein, then pick up a line of fence-posts to follow to Ben Vorlich's summit.

Ascent : 1225m, distance : 13km


Stuc a'Chroin from Edinample
From just south of Lochearnhead, drive along the minor road on the south of Loch Earn for just over 1km, to where there is a fairly new bridge by the Falls of Edinample. Park up the side of the forestry track heading uphill. Head up the track, which after an initial steep incline, is fairly flat. On approaching Glenample Farm, you are directed onto a path on the west bank of the burn, away from the farm. Once past the farm, a sign re-directs you onto the track after crossing the burn by bridge. Follow the track for just under 1km to where it turns and starts to drop. Leave the track and head up steep heathery ground to get onto the broad north-western arm of Stuc a'Chroin. A path is picked up and followed to the cairn on the northern minor top, from where the line of fence-posts are followed to the summit.

Return by the same route.

Ascent : 900m, distance : 12km


Beinn Each and Stuc a'Chroin from Loch Lubnaig
About halfway along Loch Lubnaig, there is a layby on the hill-side of the road by Ardchullarie More house. A signpost points the way up through the forest towards Glenample. Follow the track up the glen to near the watershed, then turn right and head up heathery ground following fence-posts to reach Beinn Each.

An obvious path continues north, crosses Bealach nan Cabar and approaches Stuc a'Chroin's summit from the south-west.

Return to Bealach nan Cabar, then drop directly to Glen Ample and return to Ardchullarie More.

Ascent : 1175m, distance : 13km
south of loch earn