Ben Lomond is the most southern Munro, a term given to a mountain in Scotland that is over 3,000 feet (914 meters). At 974 meters, Ben Lomond is one of the smaller ones – but it’s location on the eastern side of Loch Lomond means it’s a very popular one. On my trip to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park last September, my dad and I set off to bag Ben Lomond. Here’s my guide to this hike!

Starting the Hike

The hike starts from the main car park at Rowardennen. There is a building with toilets (open from Easter to October), and it costs £3 for all-day parking here. We arrived bright and early in the morning and there was plenty of room in the car park. However, I know parking has been an issue around here and there is a designated overflow car park approximately ¼ mile away. Please park responsibly.

While Ben Lomond is a popular hike, it is a mountain and conditions can change quickly in bad weather. You should have waterproof layers, sturdy footwear (I love my Scarpa Mistral hiking boots!), and plenty of water and snacks. You’ll need OS map OL39 Loch Lomond North for this hike. I also recommend hiking poles – they are a lifesaver on your knees! Check out my full outdoor gear guide here.

Hiking Up the Ptarmigan Path

I didn’t necessarily intend to take the Ptarmigan Path up Ben Lomond, but ended up taking this route up! Although it is very steep and much more difficult than the normal “tourist” path, I am very glad I did the hike this way. There were barely any people on the Ptarmigan Path – we saw maybe 10 people in total on our entire way up to the summit. This is a huge contrast to the number of people on the standard path, which I know on busy summer weekends can be very crowded!

There were great views over Loch Lomond as we started, but soon we ascended up into the mist and cloud and had no views for most of the walk. The final 100-meter push to the summit was steep, rocky, and difficult.

Ben Lomond: The Summit

About 30 meters below the summit, we broke above the clouds. It was like something out of a movie – I felt like I was on another planet! There was white cloud everywhere as far as the eye could see, bright blue skies and sunshine, and just the tips of other mountain peaks poking up over the cloud.

I am so proud of my dad for getting to the top – it is a challenging hike, even more so when you’re 67 (he’s turned 68 since we did this hike) and it’s your first Munro!! It was so awesome getting to do this together.

It took us just under 4 hours to reach the summit of Ben Lomond from the Ptarmigan Path. If I had been on my own, I probably would have done it a bit quicker. We had a solid half-hour break at the top for lunch, which was well deserved.

Descending Down the Tourist Trail

My first thoughts heading down the standard path were, “wow this is so much easier!” I loved the view walking down towards the jagged mountain edges. Eventually, we descended into the cloud and lost the views. The path is wide and easy to follow, with expansive views over Loch Lomond once we got back down below the clouds. The last part goes through a forest. It took 2 hours and 20 minutes from the summit to get back to the car park.

Planning Your Trip

There is no public transportation to the start of the hike up Ben Lomond, so you will need your own car to get here. If you are traveling in the area by train, I always book my train tickets in advance on Trainline. If you’re flying, Glasgow Airport is closest – I book flights through Skyscanner. There are only a few places to stay nearby, like the Rowardennen Hotel, Lodge at Loch Lomond, the Ben Lomond Bunkhouse and the Rowardennen Lodge Youth Hostel.

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Ben Lomond is a challenging walk and make sure you’re prepared in case the weather changes!

I hiked the most northern Munro, Ben Hope, when I did the North Coast 500 in 2020 – so it was great to tick off the most southern Munro as well! Ben Lomond is a classic hike, and certainly one worth doing. The views from the summit over the tops of the clouds were amazing, and while taking the Ptarmigan Path up was challenging, it was a much quieter route. I hope this post helps planning your walk up Ben Lomond in Scotland!

Have you ever hiked Ben Lomond in Scotland?

You might like my other posts:

A Travel Guide for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland

Hiking Ben Hope: Scotland’s Most Northern Munro

Hiking the Merrick: The Highest Mountain in Southern Scotland

Hiking Ben Nevis: Britain’s Highest Mountain

The Best Walks in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

My Outdoor Gear Guide for Hiking and Camping in the UK

All of my Scotland posts!

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