Dalrigh via Cononish up Ben Lui: route map, distance and time
1,131 m · Loch Lomond and The Trossachs · OS grid NN266262
Ben Lui is a Munro near Tyndrum with a steep corrie face, famous for its Central Gully winter climb and climbed from Dalrigh via Cononish.
A track leads up Glen Cononish to the corrie, then a ridge climbs to the summit.
Dalrigh via Cononish at a glance
| Distance | 11.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,059 m |
| Time up | 4h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 6h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Dalrigh car park, near Tyndrum |
| Start grid reference | NN 343 288 |
| Summit grid reference | NN266262 |
Dalrigh via Cononish 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
- Artisan Café & Deli0.6 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
- By the Way1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Dalrigh via Cononish takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 5h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 4h 5m | 6h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 5h 0m | 7h 55m |
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 07:19, sunset 16:46. Start by 09:21 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:21, sunset 16:44. Start by 09:19 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Lui summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 52 mph gusting 65 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:46.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 6% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:21, sunset 16:44.
Best day of the next seven for Dalrigh via Cononish: Sunday 1 November, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 12% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ben Lui forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Lui?
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.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 65 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 Ben Lui
Ben Lui is a Munro near Tyndrum with a steep corrie face, famous for its Central Gully winter climb and climbed from Dalrigh via Cononish. More about Ben Lui, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Beinn a' Chleibh (916 m), 1.7 km south-west
- Ben Oss (1,030 m), 2.3 km east
Challenges that include Ben Lui
More walks from Dalrigh car park, near Tyndrum
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Dalrigh via the pinewood up Beinn Dubhchraig
- Dalrigh via Beinn Dubhchraig up Ben Oss
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 343 288, the summit at NN266262), 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.
Dalrigh via Cononish: questions and answers
How far is Dalrigh via Cononish?
Dalrigh via Cononish is 11.6 km one way to the summit of Ben Lui, with 1,059 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 23.2 km.
How long does Dalrigh via Cononish take?
About 4h 5m to the summit of Ben Lui and 6h 25m 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 7h 55m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Dalrigh via Cononish?
Dalrigh via Cononish starts from Dalrigh car park, near Tyndrum. The grid reference is NN 343 288.
Is Dalrigh via Cononish 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 Dalrigh via Cononish today?
By 09:21 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Lui today is 16:46, Dalrigh via Cononish takes about 6h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Dalrigh via Cononish?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).