Stob Binnein

Stob Binnein

Overview

Stob Binnein is a 1164.8 m Munro south of Ben More in the Crianlarich hills. Its cairned summit stands above a long southern ridge reached from Inverlochlarig. It can be climbed on its own from the south or paired with Ben More, with substantial descent and re-ascent between the two summits.

Summit

A cairn marks the 1164.8 m summit. The summit grid reference is NN434227. Ben More lies to the north beyond the deep connecting bealach; Stob Coire an Lochain is a separate subsidiary top on the southern ridge.

Routes and complete returns

Stob Binnein from Inverlochlarig and back

Start and finish at Inverlochlarig car park, NN445185, west of Balquhidder. Follow current signs to the hillside access near the car park; do not rely on older directions to a stile directly opposite it. Climb the steep Stob Invercarnaig shoulder, continue along Na Staidhrichean and over Stob Coire an Lochain, then follow the ridge to Stob Binnein’s summit cairn. Retrace the southern ridge and signed lower path to the same car park. This outing does not include Ben More. Allow for the steep final descent, and check estate notices. In winter the ridge can be corniced and the summit slopes icy.

Ben More and Stob Binnein from Benmore Farm

Start by Benmore Farm on the A85, at the signed approach near NN420263. Follow the farm track, then climb Ben More’s steep north-west shoulder, keeping out of Sloc Curraidh. From the summit descend south to Bealach Eadar da-Bheinn; the short rocky step has an eastern bypass. Climb Stob Binnein by its north ridge, then return north to the same bealach. Descend west into Benmore Glen and follow the track north to the A85 start. This complete two-Munro circuit has 1335 m of ascent; Walkhighlands gives 6–8 hours. Check current stalking notices and take care beside the A85. The full circuit is 12 km.

Stob Binnein and Ben More from Inverlochlarig

Start and finish at Inverlochlarig car park, NN445185, west of Balquhidder. Follow current signed hill access near the car park, then climb the Stob Invercarnaig shoulder and southern ridge over Stob Coire an Lochain to Stob Binnein. Continue north through the bealach to Ben More. Return to the bealach, descend west, then make the rough, pathless traverse towards the pass at the head of Benmore Glen. Descend south through Inverlochlarig Glen and join the track and signed return to the car park. This two-Munro circuit has 1357 m of ascent; UKHillwalking gives 6–7 hours. The glen return is boggy, crosses burns and needs careful navigation. Check estate guidance; winter cornices affect the high southern ridge. The full circuit is 14.8 km.

Terrain and geology

Steep grassy lower slopes, a partly rocky southern ridge, summit ground and the steep northern link to Ben More. The northern circuit descends into boggy Benmore Glen; the southern paired circuit has a rough, partly pathless glen return.

The massif is formed from metamorphic Dalradian schists. NatureScot records mainly nutrient-poor rocks and soils, with local nutrient-rich mica-schist outcrops that support distinctive mountain plants. These are not the basalt lavas of the unrelated Ben More on Mull.

Safety and seasons

Steep, sustained ascents and descents make both the single-summit and paired routes demanding. Wet grass, rock and eroded ground can be slippery.

On Ben More, keep out of Sloc Curraidh and its steep headwall. Poor visibility can lead walkers into dangerous ground; the corrie is also an avalanche hazard in snow.

Ben More’s south descent includes a short rock step with an eastern bypass. The southern Inverlochlarig circuit has a rough, boggy, partly pathless return and burn crossings.

Low cloud and strong wind increase route-finding and exposure problems. Carry a map, compass, waterproofs, warm clothing, food, water, torch and emergency equipment; know when to turn back.

Snow and ice can make the steep summit slopes and descents serious winter mountaineering terrain. Sloc Curraidh on Ben More is prone to avalanches, and Stob Binnein’s southern ridge can develop cornices. Check mountain weather and current snow conditions, allow enough daylight for the full return, and carry the equipment and skills appropriate to the conditions.

Access and parking

For the northern approach, use only suitable roadside space near Benmore Farm on the A85, keeping the carriageway, gateways and farm access clear. A larger layby farther east near the west end of Loch Iubhair adds road walking; take care around fast traffic. For the southern approach, use Inverlochlarig car park, NN445185, at the public-road end west of Balquhidder. Follow the current signed hill entrance nearby. A July 2026 walk report describes changed lower access, so older stile directions may be out of date. Check current deer-management notices before setting out. NatureScot’s Southern Highlands table, updated 23 September 2026, lists Suie Estate east of the ridge: stalking from early September to 20 October and 30 October to 15 February, with no stalking on Sundays. It says the normal Benmore Farm route, returning the same way, is acceptable. Check other approaches with the estate rather than extending that advice to eastern or southern variants; the listed contact is 01567 820354. Follow reasonable local signs and keep dogs under close control.

Transport and facilities

Crianlarich has rail and coach links. The northern Benmore Farm start is about 2 miles east along the A85; this extra approach is outside the hill-route totals and involves road traffic. Inverlochlarig is a separate southern start reached via Balquhidder. Check current services and arrange onward transport for the chosen start.

Public toilets are listed in Crianlarich and at its railway station; check current availability before relying on them. Carry food, water and equipment for the full mountain return.

Views

In clear weather there are close views of Ben More to the north and a wide outlook south across the Trossachs and the mountain’s own southern ridges.

Name and conservation history

The Gaelic name is commonly interpreted as “conical peak”. Stob denotes a point or peak, while binnein is used for a conical peak.

The Ben More–Stob Binnein massif was first notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1972. Its protected features include alpine heath, alpine moss heath, tall-herb ledges and important plant and lichen assemblages.

Nearby landscape

Benmore Glen lies west of the ridge linking the two Munros. Loch Dochart and Loch Iubhair lie to the north; the southern approach starts at Inverlochlarig beyond Loch Voil and Loch Doine. These northern and southern trailheads are far apart by road.