ROUTE STATS

Distance 18km (11½ miles) Ascent 980m Time 9 hours Start/finish Dalrigh car park (NN343291) Nearest towns Oban and Killin

Terrain a good track leads from Dalrigh to the foot of Ben Lui. Summer hill paths are generally obvious, but snow and ice make it a different proposition. In winter, the east ridge of Ben Lui is a Grade I winter climb. Hazards include steep icy slopes, corniced edges and avalanches. Ice axe and crampons are essential, and a rope is recommended.

Maps OS Landranger (1:50,000) 50; OS Explorer (1:25,000) 364; Harvey British Mountain Map (1:40,000) Southern Highlands Accommodation West Highland Way Sleeper, Bridge of Orchy station (07778) 746600; Crianlarich YH (01838) 300260

Public transport train or bus from Glasgow to Tyndrum, then a walk to Dalrigh on the West Highland Way. Consult Traveline on (0870) 6082608, traveline.org.uk Tourist information VisitScotland Information Centre, visitscotland.com Guidebook Scotland’s Mountain Ridges by Dan Bailey, pb Cicerone