How to Climb Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn): Routes & Times

Ben Vorlich — the one above Loch Earn, not its Loch Lomond namesake — is a 985-metre Perthshire Munro and one of the most popular hills in the southern Highlands. Rising in a clean cone from the south shore of Loch Earn, barely an hour and a half from Glasgow or Edinburgh, it is a firm favourite for a first or early Munro.

The standard route from Ardvorlich

The usual ascent starts near Ardvorlich on the south side of Loch Earn, following a track up Glen Vorlich before a clear path climbs the mountain's broad north ridge to the summit. It is a straightforward, well-trodden route with no scrambling — the Munros app lists the routes and their distances, a friendly half-day of four to six hours there and back.

Adding Stùc a' Chròin

Fit walkers often pair Ben Vorlich with its rugged neighbour Stùc a' Chròin (975m), reached across the deep bealach to the south-west. Stùc a' Chròin is a big step up — the direct line involves a steep, rocky buttress — so know what you are taking on before you commit to the pair, and keep the second Munro for a day with the legs and the weather to spare.

A great early Munro

On its own, Ben Vorlich is an excellent choice for building confidence: a real mountain with a proper summit and huge views over the Trossachs and the Highland edge, but on good paths and within reach of a short day. See our roundup of the best Munros for beginners and, if you are coming from the west, our Munro weekends from Glasgow.

When to go and what to pack

Ben Vorlich is a rewarding walk from spring through autumn; in winter the upper cone holds snow and needs the kit and skills of a winter hill. Carry warm layers, waterproofs, food, water and a map even on a short day, and check the mountain forecast before you set off.

Related guides

• Best Munros for beginners — where to start your round
• Munro weekends from Glasgow — Central Belt day trips
• Perthshire Munros — the wider area