Glen Etive via the north ridge up Ben Starav: route map, distance and time
1,080 m · Highland
Ben Starav is a big, steep Munro at the head of Loch Etive, climbed by its long north ridge from the Glen Etive road.
A track over the River Etive, then the long, steep north ridge straight to the summit.
Glen Etive via the north ridge at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,054 m |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glen Etive road near Coileitir |
| Start grid reference | NN 140 465 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 125 427 |
Glen Etive via the north 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
How long the Glen Etive via the north ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 4h 40m |
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 07:20, sunset 16:47. Start by 11:57 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:45. Start by 11:55 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Starav summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 51 mph gusting 64 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:47.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 37 mph gusting 46 mph, 2% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:45.
Best day of the next seven for the Glen Etive via the north ridge: Sunday 1 November, with summit gusts around 13 mph and a 8% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ben Starav forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Starav?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Glen Coe avalanche report.
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 64 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 Starav
Ben Starav is a big, steep Munro at the head of Loch Etive, climbed by its long north ridge from the Glen Etive road. More about Ben Starav, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob Coire Dheirg (1,028 m), 0.6 km east
- Meall Cruidh (930 m), 1.2 km south
- Stob an Duine Ruaidh (918 m), 1.7 km south
- Glas Bheinn Mhor (998 m), 2.8 km east
Challenges that include Ben Starav
More walks from Glen Etive road near Coileitir
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Glen Etive via Ben Starav up Glas Bheinn Mhor
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 140 465, the summit at NN 125 427), 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.
Glen Etive via the north ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Glen Etive via the north ridge?
The Glen Etive via the north ridge is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Ben Starav, with 1,054 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does the Glen Etive via the north ridge take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Ben Starav and 3h 50m 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 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Glen Etive via the north ridge?
The Glen Etive via the north ridge starts from Glen Etive road near Coileitir. The grid reference is NN 140 465.
Is the Glen Etive via the north ridge 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.
What time should I start the Glen Etive via the north ridge today?
By 11:57 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Starav today is 16:47, The Glen Etive via the north ridge takes about 3h 50m 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 Glen Etive via the north ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).