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Ben lomond via ptarmigan ridge

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Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge

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Trail stats

Distance
6.66 mi
Elevation gain
1,299 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
1,299 ft
Max elevation
3,105 ft
TrailRank 
79 5
Min elevation
52 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
2 hours 43 minutes
Time
7 hours
Coordinates
887
Uploaded
July 15, 2019
Recorded
July 2019
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  •   5 1 review
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near Rowardennan, Scotland (United Kingdom)

Viewed 3546 times, downloaded 87 times

Trail photos

Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge Photo ofBen lomond via ptarmigan ridge

Itinerary description

Ben Lomond by ptarmigan ridge. A circular route.

Car park, early morning, well...just before 9. Plenty of parking spaces still. Groups starting to arrive and start their ascend by the normal path, behind the toilets and informative point.

But our walk was starting from a quarter-mile away from the car park to the right by the loch, passing the 2WW memorial sculpture.
Seems that is going to be a very warm day. So trying to be prepared, and sun protection is essential. Even that, we did get a sunburn, not pleasant. :/

Not difficult walk and ascend. However, you will need a few stops in a day like this, hotter, if your fitness is not up to level.

I did find the way down by the Sron Aonaich more painful, due it was like the path that never ends up. Not difficult at all, just big rocks as steps, scambling in some areas, which in this time I did prefer this time that than those step-rocks.

Tired, plus hotfoot and sunburn didn't help. Knee start to get noticed, and the hip decided to show up last minute, nothing mayor as I was more concern about my foot and tiredness.

People were still coming up at 5 pm, even in jeans and shirts :O

Finally, we reach the car park, toilets (thank god!), and It was not a surprise that the car park was almost completely full. We did... yayyyyyyyy

Waypoints

PictographPhoto Altitude 65 ft
Photo ofHostelling Scotland Photo ofHostelling Scotland Photo ofHostelling Scotland

Hostelling Scotland

Leaving Rowardennan car park to the right, to the Hostal by the loch, following the WHW. Arriving to the Hostal, we take the right to the Range service.

PictographPhoto Altitude 67 ft
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A pleasant walk and path.

PictographPhoto Altitude 65 ft
Photo ofJunction... Following the path to your left Photo ofJunction... Following the path to your left

Junction... Following the path to your left

Here, we leave the range service and the cottage, and we take the left junction.

PictographPhoto Altitude 52 ft
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Croosing wee bridge

PictographPhoto Altitude 68 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 75 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 73 ft
Photo ofStill.. Carry on straight. Next to the right. Honestly bottle.. Photo ofStill.. Carry on straight. Next to the right. Honestly bottle.. Photo ofStill.. Carry on straight. Next to the right. Honestly bottle..

Still.. Carry on straight. Next to the right. Honestly bottle..

Here to find, an informative point, with a very interesting Honestly box, indicating that we have arrived at the Ptarmigan path indicator.

PictographPhoto Altitude 91 ft
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Here, A few yards from the house, we just take the right small path between the forest.

PictographPhoto Altitude 93 ft
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We can see a treehouse in our way.

PictographPhoto Altitude 239 ft
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We start the ascend to the summit passing Sput Ban. We can see now the loch.

PictographPhoto Altitude 417 ft
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And we continuous the ascend. Leaving behind the forest.

PictographPhoto Altitude 825 ft
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Tea time

We need a stop for a small break. No easy, the sunny and warm weather starts to show and the break is needed. Look for a shadow, no easy. Sitting between grass, well... wee beasts did their appearance.

PictographPhoto Altitude 826 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 1,080 ft
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Keep going up.

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,134 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 1,362 ft
Photo ofFinally summit on view Photo ofFinally summit on view Photo ofFinally summit on view

Finally summit on view

Finally, we can see Ben Lomond summit at the distance. Passing Tom Fithich

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,628 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 1,696 ft
Photo ofBen Arthur at the distance

Ben Arthur at the distance

PictographPhoto Altitude 1,723 ft
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Impress view of the loch Lomond.

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,158 ft
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Ben Lomond at the distance.

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,357 ft
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We must pass by the Ptarmigan hill. It is a relieve as not too steeply.

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,367 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 2,496 ft
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Beaclach Buidhe

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,859 ft
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After a good pleasant walk. we decided for a small break before to face the last big climb. We catch up with Mag, she decided to join us. As we are climbing, some people decided to descent by the ptarmigan path. Very very steeply and you will need a good pair of knees.

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,971 ft
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Last push. And people decided to descent for the Ptarmigan path, instead of to take the most popular route.

PictographPhoto Altitude 3,053 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 3,076 ft
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Summit finally

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,134 ft
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Coming back for the easy tourist path.

PictographPhoto Altitude 2,108 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 805 ft
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It is a long path honestly, I think longer than the other one.

PictographPhoto Altitude 702 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 256 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 103 ft
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PictographPhoto Altitude 75 ft
Photo ofEnd of the path. Parking and toilets Photo ofEnd of the path. Parking and toilets Photo ofEnd of the path. Parking and toilets

End of the path. Parking and toilets

Comments  (1)

  • Photo of Cpeet tracker
    Cpeet tracker Aug 5, 2022

    I have followed this trail  verified  View more

    Good trail and we thought it is better to walk the other way around than most people do. Besides climbing this part is “easier” than the other way around.

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