Bein Ghlas & Ben Lawers

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Beinn Ghlas is a little known Munro but one of the most frequently climbed, the reason being that it is visited on the usual path used en-route to Ben Lawers. Almost never climbed in its own right, it supports a wonderful arctic flora and is part of the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve.

Ben Lawers - the tenth highest Munro - is the culminating point of the sprawling range of mountains on the north side of Loch Tay. Its great height is undermined by a high level car park to begin the ascent, and this is one of the most popular hills in Scotland. A second Munro - Beinn Ghlas - is crossed en-route and is barely noticed by many.

The nature trail is for ascent only, to prevent erosion.

Lots of good stone steps, but can get slippery quickly after a rain.

Detailed information can be found on the descriptions and map information for Walk Highlands, including GPX files.

Start at the Ben Lawers car park on the west side of the road (parking charge). The area is designated as a National Nature Reserve and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Begin the walk by heading through the walled intepretation area and on the surfaced path to a gate. Go through this and cross the road to continue on the path, with views to Beinn Ghlas ahead. Soon the path passes through a gate into an area fenced to protect the flora from overgrazing by sheep and deer; the difference in vegetation on each side of the fence is obvious.

The nature trail goes off to the right here (and can be included in the ascent); otherwise remain on the main path which keeps to the left of the stream at first, climbing gently amidst the birch trees. The high mountain you can see on the right is Beinn Ghlas - it must be climbed first and only from its summit will you get your first view of Ben Lawers itself.

Continue on the main path which soon swings right and crosses the stream, then continuing the ascent before finally leaving the fenced area. The peak to the left of Beinn Ghlas is Meall Corranaich, whilst the rockier mountain behind you, back across the car park, is Meall nan Tarmachan. At a fork in the path keep right - the left hand option is used on the return route via the bealach. The path - wonderfully restored by the National Trust for Scotland - soon begins a steeper ascent on ground which becomes increasingly rocky as it climbs with some zig-zags.

There is a shoulder before a final climb to the small plateau at the summit of Beinn Ghlas - a substantial Munro at 1103m - but many walkers en route to Ben Lawers are unaware of it. From here the view stretches along the fine ridge ahead, culminating in the great bulk of Ben Lawers itself.

From Beinn Ghlas the wide path continues along a mostly pleasant grassy ridge, leading down to the bealach (pass) before the ascent to Ben Lawers itself, with a steep section, a more level stretch, and then one final steeper pull - there are great views back over Beinn Ghlas.

The huge summit cairn that was built in the nineteenth century to try to raise the mountain over four thousand feet has long since gone, and today the summit is marked by a trig point and a view indicator. The views are very fine as well as extensive. Experienced walkers could continue from here over the further Munros of An Stùc, Meall Garbh and Meall Greigh, making a circuit around the fine corrie of Lochan nan Cat. There is trickier terrain (especially on An Stùc) however and this is a very long walk finishing a long way from the car park - transport would need to have been arranged in advance.

Otherwise, retrace your steps back to the bealach. From here there is a bypass path which heads forks right, rounding the north side of Beinn Ghlas to the bealach between it and Meall Corranaich. This path has been improved and gives good going.

If the time is early and energy is in good supply, more experienced hillwalkers could extend the walk from here by following a steep path off to the right to ascend Meall Corranaich, there joining the usual circuit of Meall Corranaich and Meall a' Choire Lèith. For everyone else, the main path continues down across the flank of Beinn Ghlas to rejoin the route of ascent. When you reached the fenced area, the National Trust for Scotland request that you do not descend on the Nature Trail route, which is reserved for ascent only to reduce erosion, so remain on the main path.