Stob Binnein, south Highlands
Steep slopes, a wide-open plateau and a compact summit, combined with exemplary views, sums up this superb Highland route.
Stob Binnein is one of Scotland’s finest and most popular mountains. Its shapely outline can be seen from a number of points across the southern Highlands, along with its near neighbour, the slightly higher Ben More. This magnificent out-and-back route includes a relentless rise from Inverlochlarig to Stob Invercarnaig. Beyond this, however, a magnificent walk heads along an easier incline over Creag Artair and Stob Coire an Lochain onto Stob Binnein’s 1165m summit.
Apart from one marshy section, the path is clear throughout. The one note of caution is that the ridge from Na Staidhrichean may be corniced well into spring. It is all worth the effort though, as Stob Binnein offers an outstanding mountain walk with incredible views in all directions.
The name Stob Binnein may translate from Gaelic as The Anvil, which would correlate with its conspicuous flat top, but its definition seems to be far more prosaic, simply meaning The Peak.
Rob Roy MacGregor, one of Scotland’s most famous historical figures, lived part of his life at Inverlochlarig, and may have died here in 1734.
NN446184 1 Inverlochlarig car park is at the end of a 9.75km singletrack road that runs from Balquhidder alongside beautiful Loch Voil and Loch Doine. The car park can be busy, particularly at weekends, as it serves a number of local hill walks. From here cross the road then a stile, signed for Am Binnein (the historic name for Stob Binnein). A very steep, sustained climb now begins, along a well worn, at times muddy, path. Height is gained quickly, with superb views opening out to Stob Breac, Stob a Choin and down onto Inverlochlarig Farm. As the path winds its way up north towards Stob Invercarnaig, further fine views along Balquhidder Glen open out. After a while the path approaches a fence, where the gradient eases a little. Once over a stile it then steepens again, heading north-east beneath and around the crags of Stob Invercarnaig. Once across a burn the path veers north above Stob Invercarnaig. Here there is a spectacular view along Loch Doine and Loch Voil to the twin peaks of Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin.
NN446198 At this 2 point the path peters out as it climbs gradually across open hillside, with much of the ground marshy – good navigation would be required in poor visibility. Keep in a northerly direction, the gradient steepening a little as it makes its way up and onto the rounded crest of Creag Artair.
NN445204 In clear 3 weather the route can be seen ahead, with a good path crossing the wonderful high plateau of Na Staidhrichean – the flowing line of the ridge draws the eye towards Stob Coire an Lochain. In winter, and possibly well into spring, this section of the route may well be heavily corniced and in poor visibility it would be advisable to stay away from the steep slopes on either side of the ridge.
It is also a wonderfully scenic section of the walk, on a pleasant incline after the energy sapping ascent. Sumptuous views extend across Inverlochlarig Glen to the Munros of Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain. The path heads north/north-west, leading to a steadier pull from where the ridge narrows a little, giving a real feeling of height – the views now extend to Loch Tay and the Ben Lawers massif and across much of Perthshire and Stirlingshire.
Keep on to reach Stob Coire an Lochain. The view to Stob Binnein’s beautiful outline is stunning from this position. Dotterel, skylark and, perhaps, mountain hare may well be spotted on this wild plateau.
NN438220 Once 4 past the lochan that gives Stob Coire an Lochain its name, a short dip leads to the final climb. The well-worn path now steepens considerably and zigzags upwards, the final section through rocky slabs, to reach Stob Binnein’s magnificent 1165m summit. The top is marked with a small cairn from where extend a number of massive views – the craggy peaks of
Beinn a Chroin, An Caisteal and Cruach Ardrain sit to the west, the four big Munros of the Ben Lui group rise to the north-west, while the huge bulk of Ben More seems almost close enough to touch. Simply put it is one of the finest views in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
NN434227 The only 5 feasible return is by the means of ascent. The descent is marvellous, with fantastic views of the southern Highlands. Upon returning to Stob Invercarnaig, care should be taken on the descent back to the start.