You need to be a bond-holder to stay here, but it is spectacular! Standing at only 1488ft it is easily completed in 3 hours. Behind the Achray car park (not the Ben A'an park) take the left track up a small rise and follow to the access road for the Katrine dam (where you may also find limited parking space). The route to the summit is a serious undertaking and suitable for fit and experienced walkers. With a clear and well-worn footpath all the way to the top, this particular route takes you back down the other side of the hill, through some … Later, on the same day, the hill was absolutely swarming with people. The path then evens out before you reach a second section that requires some scrambling over rocks. A fine route to the summit of a Munro in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Loch Katrine and the surrounding hills are unbelievably beautiful, plus the relatively flat paths and big rocks at the top give you every excuse to stick around, have a chill, take a scenic selfie, and soak up the surroundings for a wee while longer. The full hiking route described below, including Loch Humphrey, Duncolm and the Slacks is around 10 miles long and takes approximately 5 hours. It took us about 3 - 3.5 hours to get there and back, but we took it pretty easy (even though it didn't feel easy) and stopped often. You could definitely do it faster if you were fitter. Category – Hill. Head out early. Ben A’an is one of the most popular peaks to climb in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Spectacular views all around. It was a steep climb and had a clear path the whole way up. A much bigger and less busy space, often overlooked in the search for the Ben A’an car park. No spam. Ben A’an is positioned in between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, just past the little village of Brig o’ Turk (if you’re hungry near here, head to one of my favourite pubs – the Byre Inn – for great local food and beer) on the A821. Would love to go back though because the views looked amazing! Parking costs £3. Therefore, someone who has hiked Ben A’an few years ago, would find it a totally different experience nowadays. The Ben Aan walk is dog-friendly. The Ben A’an trail follows a small stream and gently climbs in old woodland. Ben A’an. Ben A’an. Ben A'an has its own car park (charge) on the south side of the A821 close by the shores of Loch Achray. How long does the hike in the Kilpatrick Hills take? Ben A’an stands at 1,491 ft (454 m) and can be found between Loch Katrine and Loch Achray. Scotland’s weather is best in May and September. Ben A'an isn't that big, as Scotland's mountains go, but it is pretty steep. Ben A'an was originaly known as An Binnean (small pointed peak) but lost its name due to Sir Walter Scott calling it Ben A'an. Look back on those climbing videos of old and check out how many of them featured a crag dog and there are loads: Hard Grit, Stick It - the Nesscliffe guide even has a collie on the cover! Part of an extinct volcano, the sharply pointed peak of Ben Aan is one of the most iconic hills in the Trossachs. The remainder of the climb is fairly gentle with only one short, rocky section to negotiate. Take the water board road for about 1/2 mile then turn left to cross a new arched bridge over the Achray Water. The view to the north reveals range beyond range of mountains into the Highlands. Don’t attempt climbing Ben Ledi in winter unless you are properly prepared. Ben A'an may be a mountain in miniature but the path to the top is steep and strenuous. Although the route is only just over a mile, it is challenging. Allow 2-3 hours up and down for Ben A’an going at a leisurely pace and if the weather is behaving then you could do a lot worse than take a picnic. The clouds had come in by this point, but it was still dry, so we were very pleased that the weather had cooperated with our order for the day, since this walk wasn't as contingent on clear skies for the views. Rest assured, the views at the top are worth it! Check out more amazing walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, like the Ben Venue, Ben Lomond, or Loch Venachar. The descent from the summit back to your starting point will normally take approx. There are 282 Munros across Scotland. Then, before you know it, you’ll cross back via stepping-stones. Duration:The Ben A’an hike took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, which is much longer than their typical pace (which would have been around 2h15m). Remember me Not recommended on shared computers. How long does it take to climb Ben Ledi? I used to have a theory in the first few years of my climbing career: if you want to climb hard, get a dog. In Scotland, a munro is a mountain over 914.4 metres (3000 feet). Took about an hour and a half on the way up and an hour back down. The footpath to the top of the Ben A’an Mountain is simple to follow. Ben A'an hill path. It is best to get there as early as possible. Author - Rob Kay. Although Ben A’an is not a high mountain, its position at the heart of the Trossachs makes it a truly wonderful viewpoint. Ben Lomond is one of the most popular Munros, rewarding the 30,000 people who make it to the top with truly fantastic views of the length of Loch Lomond and its islands. Ben Venue may mean 'small mountain' in Gaelic but be prepared for its steep, rugged slopes! Usually its 3£ for the day but the meter wasn't working. Take the water board road for about 1/2 mile then turn left to cross a new arched bridge over the Achray Water. How long does it take to climb Ben A’an? Loch Achray and part of Loch Venachar can be seen in the opposite direction. The easiest Munros listed here are ideal introductions to Munro bagging or hillwalking in Scotland. A recently-upgraded path easily leads walkers from a car park on the A821, on the banks of pretty Loch Achray, to reach the 454m summit of Ben A’an. The nearby Tigh Mor Trossachs is a stunning Victorian Building, now home to 76 holiday properties. Therefore, someone who has hiked Ben A’an few years ago, would find it a totally different experience nowadays. Trail head directions.. Ben A’an is one of our all-time favourite hikes in Scotland, despite being a relatively short walk. The path up is well made, but the optional return down the Ptarmigan ridge is steep and rocky, and muddy lower down. But it was really crowded and we were searching for parking spaces for a while. How long does it take to climb Ben A’an? There are two particularly steep sections of the climb so be prepared! best time to climb Ben Ledi? This is an ideal time for photography, and provides a wonderful, breathtaking day out in the Trossachs. Even though Ben A’an is not that high, the weather in The Trossachs is still very changeable. walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. There is no scrambling required but snow and ice will mean you will need crampons and an ice axe. The views at this time of year are simply stunning, as the hillsides glow with purple and yellow heather and the trees take on rich autumn colors. Views from the top are sensational due to its central position within the Trossachs. If you need food supplies, you’ll go through the town of Callander about half an hour before your walk. With that in mind, it's an ideal first climb for budding hillwalkers. Although the route is only just over a mile, it is challenging. If you can carry it in a flask, a hot soup is brilliant for on a chilly day. We climbed Ben A’an on a dry cloudy day. The Ben A’an trail follows a small stream and gently climbs in old woodland. Approximate Timing – 1.5 – 3 hours. How long it takes to climb Ben Nevis really depends on how fit you are and how many breaks you take but a rough guide is it will take you around 3½ - 4½ hours to climb it via the Mountain Track in summer under reasonable weather conditions. The slower pace is due to the steeper incline and the higher effort level required. They are named after Sir Hugh Munro, who began to catalogue them at the end of the 19th century. 1. Bug repellant may be a good idea on a still summer’s day. ‘Ben’ or ‘Beinn’ is the Gaelic word for peak, hill or mountain, and forms part of the names of many mountains in Scotland and Ireland. To get to the Ben A’an Trailhead, head north from Aberfoyle on the A821 towards Callander. Ben Aan hike was nice. Everyone’s fitness levels are different so this will vary. It can be found on the Northern side of Loch Achray. Having said that the view from the top is stunning. Grade - moderate. Ben A’an sits at 454 metres so is not classed as a munro. There are good places to stop on the way up- we had a good few breaks. With that in mind, it's an ideal first climb for budding hillwalkers. How long does it take to climb Ben Ledi? Don’t attempt climbing Ben Ledi in winter unless you are properly prepared. Find out more about the route at WalkHighlands. We climbed Ben A’an on a dry cloudy day. It is also close to the Trossachs Pier (around 1.8 kilometres from the car park), which we did not manage to go. My small kids got tired and we had to turn back so I wouldn't recommend it for families with children. Ensure regular top-ups while giving a little incentive to keep going with the promise of a sweet treat when you reach prominent landmarks, boulders or steeper stretches. Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! 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