Ben Lomond by the Ptarmigan ridge
The finest way up Ben Lomond: up the rugged Ptarmigan ridge above the loch, down the tourist path.
- Distance
- 14.1 km
- Ascent
- 1080 m
- Time
- 5–7 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 974 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Ben Lomond by the Ptarmigan ridge is a hard 14.1 km circular walk with 1,080 m of ascent, taking 5 to 7 hours. It starts at Rowardennan car park (grid reference NS 359 986). It climbs Ben Lomond (974 m), a Munro. The start can be reached by public transport.
This circuit swaps the busy tourist path for the Ptarmigan ridge on the way up, a quieter and far more interesting line with Loch Lomond and its islands spread out below. The path is rougher, with a few rocky steps and a short steep pull from the Ptarmigan top onto the summit ridge.
The descent follows the well-made tourist path back to Rowardennan, which is reassuring in poor visibility. Doing it this way round keeps the steeper ground for the ascent.
Route
-
1
Along the loch
Walk north from the car park on the West Highland Way past the youth hostel, then take the path climbing steeply up through the trees beside a burn.
-
2
The Ptarmigan ridge
Climb onto the broad ridge and follow it north over knolls and small lochans to the Ptarmigan top, with the loch dropping away to the west.
-
3
To the summit
Drop to the col and climb the steep zigzags onto Ben Lomond's summit ridge, then follow the edge of the northern corrie to the trig point.
-
4
Down the tourist path
Descend the main path south over Sròn Aonaich and through the forest back to Rowardennan.
Summits
Ptarmigan
731 m
974 m
“Beacon mountain (from Brittonic llumon, 'beacon')”
Say it: ben LOH-mund
Other routes up Ben Lomond
Questions about this walk
- How long does Ben Lomond by the Ptarmigan ridge take?
- Most walkers take 5–7 hours for the 14.1 km route, which has 1,080 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Rowardennan car park (grid reference NS 359 986). Pay and display; very busy on summer weekends.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Seasonal waterbus from Tarbet and Inversnaid. Check times on Traveline Scotland.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. Rough hill path on the Ptarmigan ridge with some rocky steps; constructed path on the descent. Exposed summit ridge.
- Which hill does it climb?
- Ben Lomond (974 m, Munro).
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Dogs welcome; keep them on a lead near sheep.
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