Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder up Meall nan Tarmachan: route map, distance and time
1,044 m · Perth and Kinross
Meall nan Tarmachan is a 1044m Munro above Loch Tay, best known for the knobbly Tarmachan Ridge traverse west over Meall Garbh.
A path climbs the south-east shoulder and over the south top to the summit.
Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder at a glance
| Distance | 10.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 737 m |
| Time up | 3h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ben Lawers car park (Loch Tay to Glen Lyon road) |
| Start grid reference | NN 635 414 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 585 389 |
Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder 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 Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 5h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 6h 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 16:44. Start by 10:29 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:42. Start by 10:27 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Meall nan Tarmachan summit weather for this route
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Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 48 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:17, sunset 16:44.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 43 mph, 33% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:19, sunset 16:42.
Best day of the next seven for Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder: Saturday 31 October, with summit gusts around 8 mph and a 31% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Meall nan Tarmachan forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Meall nan Tarmachan?
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 -4°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 48 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 Meall nan Tarmachan
Meall nan Tarmachan is a 1044m Munro above Loch Tay, best known for the knobbly Tarmachan Ridge traverse west over Meall Garbh. More about Meall nan Tarmachan, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Meall nan Tarmachan South Top (922 m), 0.6 km south-east
- Meall Garbh (1,027 m), 0.9 km south-west
- Beinn nan Eachan (1,000 m), 1.6 km south-west
Challenges that include Meall nan Tarmachan
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 635 414, the summit at NN 585 389), 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.
Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder: questions and answers
How far is Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder?
Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder is 10.1 km one way to the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan, with 737 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 20.2 km.
How long does Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder take?
About 3h 15m to the summit of Meall nan Tarmachan and 5h 15m 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 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder?
Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder starts from Ben Lawers car park (Loch Tay to Glen Lyon road). The grid reference is NN 635 414.
Is Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder 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 Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder today?
By 10:29 at the latest. Sunset on Meall nan Tarmachan today is 16:44, Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder takes about 5h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ben Lawers road via the south-east shoulder?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).