Loch Achray up Ben Venue: route map, distance and time
729 m · Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Ben Venue is a rugged Graham in the heart of the Trossachs, rising above Loch Katrine and Loch Achray with a double summit.
A path climbs through the forest to the pass and onto the summit ridge.
Loch Achray at a glance
| Distance | 8.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 694 m |
| Time up | 2h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Loch Achray car park |
| Start grid reference | NN 512 065 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 474 063 |
Loch Achray 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
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Loch Achray South camping permit area March-September0.4 km
- Loch Achray Campsite0.6 km
- Loch Katrine Eco Camp1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Loch Achray takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 30m | 5h 30m |
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 07:17, sunset 16:46. Start by 11:16 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:43. Start by 11:13 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Venue summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Ben Venue right now. The main Ben Venue page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Ben Venue forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Ben Venue
Ben Venue is a rugged Graham in the heart of the Trossachs, rising above Loch Katrine and Loch Achray with a double summit. More about Ben Venue, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Graham, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Ben Venue
Other routes up Ben Venue
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinlochard via Ledard | 5.9 km one way | 700 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 512 065, the summit at NN 474 063), 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.
Loch Achray: questions and answers
How far is Loch Achray?
Loch Achray is 8.3 km one way to the summit of Ben Venue, with 694 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.6 km.
How long does Loch Achray take?
About 2h 50m to the summit of Ben Venue and 4h 30m 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 5h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Loch Achray?
Loch Achray starts from Loch Achray car park. The grid reference is NN 512 065.
Is Loch Achray 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 Loch Achray today?
By 11:16 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Venue today is 16:46, Loch Achray takes about 4h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Loch Achray?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).