Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat up Ben Lawers: route map, distance and time
1,214 m · Perth and Kinross
Ben Lawers is the 1214m high point of the southern Highlands and Perthshire, a Munro above Loch Tay climbed over Beinn Ghlas.
A path climbs north from Loch Tay to the lochan in the corrie below the summit. You then climb the east ridge to the top.
Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat at a glance
| Distance | 8.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,019 m |
| Time up | 3h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Lawers (Loch Tay) |
| Start grid reference | NN 676 394 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 635 414 |
Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat 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
How long Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 10m | 6h 20m |
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 07:55, sunset 18:08. Start by 11:58 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:05. Start by 11:55 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Lawers summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Clear sky, up to 3°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 12 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:55, sunset 18:08.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 35 mph, 34% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 64% (Good), best around 07:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Ben Lawers forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Lawers?
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 -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Ben Lawers
Ben Lawers is the 1214m high point of the southern Highlands and Perthshire, a Munro above Loch Tay climbed over Beinn Ghlas. More about Ben Lawers, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Creag an Fhithich (1,047 m), 0.8 km north
- Beinn Ghlas (1,103 m), 1.4 km south-west
- An Stuc (1,117 m), 1.7 km north
- Meall Corranaich (1,067 m), 2 km west
- Meall Garbh (1,123 m), 2.5 km north
Challenges that include Ben Lawers
Other routes up Ben Lawers
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Lawers car park via Beinn Ghlas | 6.1 km one way | 884 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 676 394, the summit at NN 635 414), 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.
Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat: questions and answers
How far is Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat?
Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat is 8.6 km one way to the summit of Ben Lawers, with 1,019 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.2 km.
How long does Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat take?
About 3h 25m to the summit of Ben Lawers and 5h 10m 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 6h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat?
Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat starts from Lawers (Loch Tay). The grid reference is NN 676 394.
Is Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat 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 Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat today?
By 11:58 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Lawers today is 18:08, Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat takes about 5h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Lawers village via Lochan nan Cat?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).