Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan up Ben Lomond: route map, distance and time
974 m · Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Ben Lomond is the most southerly Munro, rising above the east shore of Loch Lomond and climbed from Rowardennan by the tourist path or Ptarmigan ridge.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rowardennan car park.
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan starts at about 15 m and gains 923 m over 5.7 km to 925 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 29 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 276 m at an average of 28%. It keeps climbing at 25% to the top. About 38% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan at a glance
| Distance | 5.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 970 m |
| Climb on the track | 923 m up, 15 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 11 m to 925 m (summit 974 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 1.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 38% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rowardennan car park, G63 0AR |
| Start grid reference | NS 359 986 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 367 028 |
| Parking | Rowardennan car park; the postcode is approximate |
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Clansman0.3 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel0.7 km
- Lochan Maol Dhuinne Camping permit area March-September1.0 km
- Inverbeg Holiday Park1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 44 m | +29 m | 3% | NS 360 996 |
| 2 km | 320 m | +276 m | 28% steep | NN 362 004 |
| 3 km | 477 m | +156 m | 16% | NN 359 013 |
| 4 km | 706 m | +229 m | 23% steep | NN 358 022 |
| 5 km | 754 m | +49 m | 5% | NN 362 029 |
| 5.7 km | 925 m | +170 m | 25% steep | NN 366 028 |
How long Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 4h 45m |
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 07:56, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:15 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:58, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:13 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Lomond 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 15 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:56, sunset 18:10.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 32 mph gusting 40 mph, 9% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:58, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 48% (Marginal), best around 08:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Ben Lomond forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Lomond?
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 Lomond
Ben Lomond is the most southerly Munro, rising above the east shore of Loch Lomond and climbed from Rowardennan by the tourist path or Ptarmigan ridge. More about Ben Lomond, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cruinn a' Bheinn (633 m), 2.3 km north
Challenges that include Ben Lomond
Other routes up Ben Lomond
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowardennan tourist path | 5.8 km one way | 967 m | 2h 45m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NS 359 986, the summit at NN 367 028), 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.
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan: questions and answers
How far is Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan?
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan is 5.7 km one way to the summit of Ben Lomond, with 970 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.4 km.
How long does Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Ben Lomond and 3h 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 4h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 1.5 km from the start, and 38% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan climbs 923 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan?
Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan starts from Rowardennan car park (postcode G63 0AR). The grid reference is NS 359 986. Rowardennan car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as the Rowardennan tourist path.
What time should I start Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan today?
By 13:15 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Lomond today is 18:10, Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan takes about 3h 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 Ptarmigan Ridge from Rowardennan?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.