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Geography
| Ben Lomond   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Rowardennan, Scotland, Europe Lat/Lon: 56.14976°N / 4.64001°W Activities: Hiking Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 3195 ft / 974 m | Page By: Boydie Created/Edited: Sep 23, 2006 / Aug 9, 2008 Object ID: 228448 Hits: 1202 Loading... Page Score: 85.13% - 23 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
Ben Lomond stands at 3195feet/974metres and is number 184 in the munro heights. Located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and situated on the eastern shores of Loch lomond itself, Ben Lomond is probably one of the busiest mountains in Scotland. This is generally due to the proximity of Glasgow and offers an explanation to the translation of its name (Beacon Hill).
In the eighteenth century, having scaled Ben Lomond, John Stodd described it as 'a stupendous precipice of 2,000ft, exciting a degree of surprise arising almost in terror'. Also in the same century Colonel Thornton celebrated his ascent with a lunch that consisted of ptarmigan, moor-cock, smoked ham, and reindeer tongue that was then washed down with champagne that had been cooled in the snow. I think I just had sandwiches, a bar of chocolate and some juice but, hey I enjoyed it the same.
The summit is a fairly short, level topped ridge that offers fantastic views if you are fortunate enough to get a clear day. Views onto Loch Lomond, Loch Sloy reservoir/dam lodged in between the Arrochar Alps and beyond to the Crianlarich Hills with Ben More very distinct at the end of this range to name but a few of the sights to sit and admire.
Ben Lomond should take roughly 5 to 7 hours to complete depending on your chosen route of ascent/descent.
Red TapeThere is no red tape as all peaks in Scotland are fully accessable.Getting There
From Glasgow take the A82 Loch Lomond road until reaching the Balloch roundabout (the one with the metal ducks). Turn right onto the A811 and continue along this road until reaching Drymen. From there take the A837 to Balmaha and continue onwards to reach Rowardennan (care should be taken on this road as it is very narrow and not in the best of conditions).
Maps and Books  Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
Maps
Landranger Map 56,
OS Map Explorer 364,
Books
The Munros book by Cameron McNeish page 15.
200 Challenging Walks in Britain and Ireland page 95.
Ski Mountaineering in Scotland page 14.Places to stayThere is the Rowardennan Hotel and several guest houses in Balmaha.
Camp sites are available on route and wild camping can also be done on the shores of Loch Lomond as long as you leave your chosen site in the condition you found it in. Mountain Conditions
Ben Lomond is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.
Mountain weather forecast
Avalanche forecast Images
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