Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge up Beinn Ghlas (Perth and Kinross): route map, distance and time
1,103 m · Perth and Kinross
Beinn Ghlas is a 1103m Munro on the Ben Lawers range above Loch Tay, which most walkers cross on the way to Ben Lawers from the hill car park.
A path climbs through the nature reserve and up the grassy south-west ridge to the summit.
Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 681 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ben Lawers car park (Loch Tay to Glen Lyon road) |
| Start grid reference | NN 608 377 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 625 404 |
Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:10 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:00, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:08 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Beinn Ghlas summit weather for this route
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Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 40 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:05.
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Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 41 mph, 89% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:00, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 47% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 2% (Low), best around 08:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Beinn Ghlas forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Beinn Ghlas?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 40 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Beinn Ghlas
Beinn Ghlas is a 1103m Munro on the Ben Lawers range above Loch Tay, which most walkers cross on the way to Ben Lawers from the hill car park. More about Beinn Ghlas, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Meall Corranaich (1,067 m), 1.2 km north-west
- Ben Lawers (1,214 m), 1.4 km north-east
- Creag an Fhithich (1,047 m), 2.1 km north-east
- An Stuc (1,117 m), 3 km north-east
Challenges that include Beinn Ghlas
More walks from Ben Lawers car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ben Lawers car park via Beinn Ghlas up Ben Lawers
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 608 377, the summit at NN 625 404), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge?
The Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Beinn Ghlas, with 681 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Beinn Ghlas and 2h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge?
The Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge starts from Ben Lawers car park (Loch Tay to Glen Lyon road). The grid reference is NN 608 377.
Is the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge today?
By 14:10 at the latest. Sunset on Beinn Ghlas today is 18:05, The Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge takes about 2h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Ben Lawers car park via the south-west ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).