Ben Cruachan

Ben Cruachan

Summit and neighbouring tops

Ben Cruachan is a 1,127 m Munro in Argyll between Loch Awe and Loch Etive. The surveyed highest point is a rock beside the destroyed trig point; only the pillar's remains survive. The separate western top is Stob Dearg, also called Taynuilt Peak (1,103.1 m). Drochaid Ghlas (1,024.4 m) is a subsidiary top to the east. Stob Daimh (999.2 m), farther east, is a separate Munro. These are distinct summits in the Database of British and Irish Hills.

Choosing a route

The summit-return route climbs from Falls of Cruachan to the dam, follows the reservoir's western side and rises through Coire Dearg to Bealach an Lochain. The final southern shoulder is steep and bouldery. Return the same way for Ben Cruachan alone. Coire Dearg is this normal approach, not a separate quiet alternative.

The Walkhighlands horseshoe continues east to Stob Daimh and returns by Stob Garbh, Lairig Torran and the reservoir. Its published estimate is 13.75 km and 8-9 hours. Drochaid Ghlas is a short optional summit detour; Taynuilt Peak needs a separate westward detour. The eastern ridge has short scrambles and exposed rocky steps. Steven Fallon describes the loose bypass below the bad step. Neither line should be treated as an easy low-level path.

Country Walking's September 2019 Ben Cruachan and Meall Cuanail circuit gives 10.5 km and about 6 hours: climb Ben Cruachan through Coire Dearg, return to the col, cross Meall Cuanail (920.2 m), then descend pathless ground to the dam. Clear weather and competent navigation are important. A walk to Stob Daimh alone is a separate outing and does not summit Ben Cruachan.

Access and facilities

The usual start is the limited A85 roadside parking at Falls of Cruachan, NN080267. Use the railway underpass. The visitor-centre car park is reserved for centre visitors and must not be used as hillwalking overflow. Drax's access policy excludes general-public vehicles from the dam road but permits walkers and cyclists through the footgate; nearby St Conan's road has very limited residential parking.

Falls of Cruachan has no station toilets or refreshments. ScotRail's station page links its current timetable: the station is seasonal and closes on 24 October 2026. Buses also serve the power station. On 16 October 2026 the visitor-centre website displayed both a temporary-closure notice and opening hours, so confirm cafe availability before relying on it.

Terrain, views and conditions

Expect steep woodland paths, eroded stones, boulders, wet ground and rough ridges. In clear conditions there are views over Loch Awe and Loch Etive towards the Glen Etive mountains and western islands. Snow and ice turn the ridges into serious winter terrain requiring suitable skills and equipment. Navigation becomes harder in mist, particularly on pathless descents.

Name, geology and history

TravelScotland translates the name as heaped hill. The British Geological Survey places the Cruachan intrusive phase within the Etive complex, with rock composition varying from monzodiorite to monzogranite.

The underground pumped-storage power station opened on 15 October 1965. Visit Cruachan's history also recounts the Cailleach Bheur legend linking a mountain spring with the creation of Loch Awe. The legend is folklore, not the geological explanation of the loch.