Ben Vorlich
NN322098 Exit 1 Inveruglas car park, turn left on the A82 and pass the power station. Head south-west on a path running parallel to the road. Climb some steps, turn left through a vehicle barrier and turn right, continuing along the road. Just before a sharp left bend in the A82, turn right up a driveway, go through a gate next to a vehicle barrier and head under the railway bridge. Fork left on a shortcut path that bypasses the tarmac road’s wide switchback. Rejoin the road, which runs parallel to Inveruglas Water, and follow it west. Pass under electricity pylons and continue west, ignoring a turn-off to the right. At Coiregrogain, the road veers northwest to reach a junction marking the splitting of the main routes up Vane and Vorlich.
NN299095 Turn 2 right and head north/north-west on the road towards the Loch Sloy dam. After 850m turn right on a stone-pitched path that climbs north-east. The path, which is clear underfoot and easy to follow, takes advantage of a gentler, grassier side to Ben Vorlich, away from craggier ground. The path is boggy in parts, crossing several small streams. As it veers north, glorious views back to Loch Lomond come into play, and beyond the 800m contour line you gain the ridge. The most strenuous climbing is now over. Continue north over the airy ridgeline, ascending easily over undulating, rocky ground to Ben Vorlich’s trig pillar. Continue further north briefly to a cairn marking the true summit.
NN295124 It is 3 possible to descend the craggy southern face of Ben Vorlich, but the way is steep and arduous. So the far more common approach is to simply retrace your steps, descending the route of ascent. Head south-south-east on the well-trodden path, which serves up excellent views of isle-dotted Loch Lomond in the distance, before veering south and south-west steeply downhill. The path is stone-pitched in several places, but grassy and boggy in others. After what seems like a never-ending descent, arrive back at the dam’s service road.
NN295103 Turn left 4 and follow the road south-east for 850m to reach a prominent junction to the north of Coiregrogain and next to a bridge over Inveruglas Water. Fork left and head south-east and then east on the Cowal Way road, passing under pylons and next to various buildings related to the power station. Pass under the railway bridge and descend to the A82. Turn left and walk back to the car park.