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Strenuous; steep rock and scrambling

Stuc a' Chroin

973m Elevation
252m Prominence
Scotland Country
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Overview

Stuc a' Chroin is a 973 m Munro south of Loch Earn in the southern Highlands. Ben Vorlich is its neighbouring Munro to the north-east. The connecting route includes steep, rocky ground and scrambling; southern approaches reach the mountain by different ridges.

Stuc a' Chroin

Stuc a' Chroin is a 973 m Munro south of Loch Earn, close to Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn). It is a different mountain from Beinn a' Chroin near Crianlarich.

Summit

The highest cairn is on the eastern side of the summit, at NN 61749 17458. The western cairn is lower. The 949.5 m North Top and the 733.3 m West Top are separate subsidiary tops, not the Munro summit. The top of the northern prow is also short of the main summit. These distinctions follow the Database of British and Irish Hills.

Routes and terrain

The usual two-Munro circuit starts at Ardvorlich on Loch Earn, crosses Ben Vorlich and continues to Stuc a' Chroin. The latter ascent is considerably more demanding: steep rock, scrambling and exposure replace the more straightforward northern path up Ben Vorlich. The west-side bypass of the prow remains steep. The return contours below Ben Vorlich through Coire Buidhe to rejoin the outward path. The Walkhighlands circuit is 14.5 km, with a published time of 6–7 hours.

From Loch Lubnaig, the route through Glen Ample climbs Beinn Each before following the complex rocky connecting ridge. A retraced return crosses Beinn Each again before descending to Ardchullarie More. The continuation is much rougher than the Beinn Each-only walk. In Callander describes the longer traverse.

The southern approach from Braeleny uses Arivurichardich, Stiol nan Tarbh and the south-east ridge. Returning the same way avoids adding the Beinn Each ridge. The 19 km, 7–8 hour Braeleny horseshoe is a different, longer itinerary returning over Beinn Each.

Access

The northern start has informal roadside parking near Ardvorlich (NN633232); no bus reaches this start. Lochearnhead and St Fillans have bus services, but reaching Ardvorlich requires an additional journey. Alternative starts are the A84 layby at Ardchullarie More (NN582137) and the track junction near Braeleny (NN637107). National Park toilet listings include Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Callander.

The NatureScot access table, updated 23 September 2026, lists Ardvorlich stalking from mid-September to 20 October on the northern ground, with main paths and ridges remaining usable. No stalking information is supplied for Beinn Each in that table.

Mountain hazards

The northern buttress and its bypass require deliberate route-finding. Boggy, eroded paths cross the corries on the Ardvorlich return. The Beinn Each ridge has steep, rocky sections, and lower burn crossings can be difficult after heavy rain. Snow and ice make the northern prow serious winter mountaineering terrain.

Geology, name and views

The British Geological Survey describes the Ben Ledi Grit Formation as metamorphosed sandstone with finer-grained sedimentary layers. Stuc a' Chroin lies in this Dalradian formation within the Tay Nappe folds.

Gaelic stuc means a rock or pinnacle. The National Park's Gaelic guide treats the second element as uncertain and suggests a possible small-animal-pen connection.

Ben Vorlich and Beinn Each are the immediate major walking neighbours. Views extend towards the Crianlarich hills, Loch Voil and the central lowlands. Ben More is a more distant mountain in the panorama, not an adjacent summit on this circuit.

Explore routes near Stuc a' Chroin

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Loch Lubnaig: West Shore Railway Path from Ben Ledi Car Park

7.6 km ~2h 45m Easy

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Loch Katrine: Brenachoile Point Shore Walk from Trossachs Pier

7.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Killin: Falls of Dochart, Finlarig and Moirlanich Longhouse

6.5 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Aberfoyle woodland wellbeing walk

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin Circuit

Start at Ardvorlich on Loch Earn (NN633232). Climb Ben Vorlich by its north ridge, then descend south-west to Bealach an Dubh Choirein. The north approach to Stuc a' Chroin has steep rock and scrambling; the path west of the prow is still very steep. Continue beyond the prow to the Munro summit. Return by the western bypass and contour below Ben Vorlich through Coire Buidhe to regain the outward path to Ardvorlich. Walkhighlands gives 14.5 km and 6–7 hours for this full circuit.

14.5 km Strenuous; steep rock and scrambling

Glen Ample Approach via Beinn Each

Start at the A84 layby at Ardchullarie More on Loch Lubnaig (NN582137). Take the Glen Ample path, then the hill path by Eas an Eoin to Beinn Each. Follow the complex ridge north towards Stuc a' Chroin, crossing Bealach nan Cabar and the intervening rocky rises before the final climb. Return over the same ridge and Beinn Each, then descend the outward path through Glen Ample to the A84 layby. The extension beyond Beinn Each includes steep, exposed rocky sections and substantially more ascent than Beinn Each alone.

Strenuous; rocky ridge and scrambling

Stuc a' Chroin from Callander via Braeleny

Start at the track junction south of Braeleny (NN637107), north of Callander. Follow the approach to Arivurichardich, continue towards Stiol nan Tarbh, and climb the south-east ridge of Stuc a' Chroin to the summit. Return down the same ridge and approach tracks to Braeleny. This out-and-back approaches from the south and avoids the northern buttress; it still entails a long approach and sustained mountain walking.

Strenuous; long mountain walk
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

973m

3,192 ft

Prominence

252m

Coordinates

56.3293, -4.2375

NN617174

OS Map

57

Explorer: OL46N OL47W 365N 368W

At the Summit

The summit is the eastern cairn at NN 61749 17458; the western cairn at NN 61673 17437 is lower. The separate North Top (949.5 m) and the cairn on the northern prow are not the Munro summit.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky ridges steep slopes and boggy corries. The north approach has scrambling beside a prominent buttress. The ridge from Beinn Each is uneven and rocky with repeated descents and climbs.

Stuc a' Chroin is formed from metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of the Ben Ledi Grit Formation, part of the Dalradian Southern Highland Group. These include metamorphosed sandstone with finer-grained semipelite and pelite, folded within the Tay Nappe.

Views & Scenery

Ben Vorlich is the close northern neighbour. Wider views include Loch Voil, the Crianlarich hills to the north-west and Scotland's central lowlands to the south.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Gaelic stuc means a rock or pinnacle. The second element is uncertain: the National Park's Gaelic guide suggests a possible connection with a small animal pen.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For the usual northern circuit, use the limited informal roadside verges near Ardvorlich on the south Loch Earn road (NN633232). The Glen Ample approach starts from the A84 layby at Ardchullarie More (NN582137); the southern approach starts at Braeleny (NN637107). Keep entrances and passing places clear.

Public Transport

No bus serves the Ardvorlich start on the south Loch Earn road. Buses reach Lochearnhead and St Fillans, leaving a separate onward journey to the trailhead. The Braeleny start is beyond Callander and also requires an onward approach.

Nearby Facilities

Public toilets are listed in Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Callander. The Ardvorlich start is informal roadside parking rather than a visitor centre; plan town facilities before the walk.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The north approach from Ben Vorlich includes steep, exposed rocky ground and scrambling; Ben Vorlich's easier ascent does not describe this continuation.
  • The western bypass of the northern prow remains very steep. The return towards Ardvorlich crosses boggy, eroded ground where the path can be indistinct.
  • The ridge between Beinn Each and Stuc a' Chroin has steep rocky sections and complex route-finding; burn crossings on the lower Glen Ample approach can become difficult in spate.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice turn the northern prow into serious winter mountaineering terrain. NatureScot's September 2026 access table lists stalking on Ardvorlich Estate's northern ground from mid-September to 20 October, while main paths and ridges remain usable; it supplies no equivalent stalking information for Beinn Each.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Stuc a' Chroin?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Stuc a' Chroin through the maps

Are there other walkers around Stuc a' Chroin?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Stuc a' Chroin search or of course create your own walk for Stuc a' Chroin

Can I organise a walk to Stuc a' Chroin?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Stuc a' Chroin?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Stuc a' Chroin location map

Grid reference: NN617174

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