Ben Cruachan
Ben Cruachan, the highest peak on the Cruachan Horseshoe north of Loch Awe, stands above fine ridges a reservoir and famous hydro dam within its heart.
Ben Cruachan
| Height | 1127m |
| Prominence | 880m |
| Meaning | heaped mountain |
| Lists | Munros, 31 |
| Location | Ben Cruachan and Glen Kinglass, Northwest Argyll and Appin |
| Grid Ref | NN070305 |
| Lat/Lon | 56.42684, -5.13239 |
Ben Cruachan dominates the Argyll skyline, forming the western high point of the Cruachan Horseshoe. Its ridges sweep around Cruachan Reservoir, and the summit commands stunning views across Loch Awe, Loch Etive, Mull, and beyond. Ben Cruchan is known as the “Hollow Mountain” for the hydroelectric power station buried inside.
Most hillwalkers start from the roadside near the Cruachan car park, climbing steeply past the dam to gain the ridge. The circuit can be followed clockwise or anti-clockwise, but many tackle Ben Cruachan first, ascending its rocky crest with one short “bad step” en route. From the summit, the ridge continues east to Stob Daimh before circling back around the reservoir.
Instead of hiking around the peaks on the Cruachan Horsehoe, after bagging the Munro peaks, the route can be extended over to the nearby peaks of Beinn a' Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich.
Routes up Ben Cruachan
Cruachan Horseshoe | |
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Hillwalking route on the Cruachan Horseshoe linking Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh, with detours to minor peaks and extension to nearby Munros. Peaks : 2 Munros, option of 5 Munro Tops and 1 Corbett
Ascent : 1430m (4690ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:50hr |
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