Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 56.26509°N / 4.78867°W |
Activities: | Hiking, Mountaineering |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 3002 ft / 915 m |
Ben Vane is located within the middle of the Arrochar Alps range and sits at a height of 915m/3002ft. Although one of the smallest of the Munros in Scotland, it is also one of the steepest, which is apparent in the number of false summits it throws at you. Due to its position within the range Ben Vane does not get the notiriety of its fellow peaks, but is still a popular excursion for the avid hillwalker.
The main access route of ascent for this peak is via Inveruglas, however the peak can be ascended from Arrochar via Beinn Ime. From Inveruglas, the private road through Coiregrogain is followed, turning left over the bridge and then leaving the road to follow an obvious path onto the open hillside. The higher sections on this route contain numerous rocky outcrops, with the paths skirting between them being fairly eroded. The summit itself is a small flat levellled top, with the cairn located on its south eastern side.
There are no rock climbs or winter climbs of note to be found on Ben Vane.
Please note that if ascending from Inveruglas, car parking is discouraged at the start of the private road up Coiregrogain as it will block access. Parking should be done at the visitor centre opposite the power station.
The best city in Scotland for Ben Vane is Glasgow, however access can be gained from a variety of locations. Ben Vane is best climbed from Inveruglas to the east of the peak.
Airports
There are a variety of airports throughout Scotland that would provide easy access to Ben Vane. Below are a selection of the homepages for these airports;
Glasgow Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Prestwick International Airport
Car
View Larger Map
Train
Glasgow Queen Street station direct to Arrochar or Ardlui.
Scotrail info
Bus
Buses run daily from Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow to Arrochar or Inveruglas.
Scottish City Link info
There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.
The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;
Below is a list of possible accommodation venues that are located in the direct vacinity of Ben Vane.
Tarbet hotel
Colquhoun Arms Hotel
Rowantree Cottage
Ardlui Hotel
Lodge on Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Youth Hostel
Ardgarten campsite
Beinglas Campsite
Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations close to Ben Vane. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.
Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.
Ben Vane is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.
West Highlands Mountain Forecast
Avalanche Forecast
Ski Mountaineering in Scotland by Donald Bennet & Bill Wallace
The Southern Highlands by Donald Bennet
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
The Munros by Cameron McNeish
The Munro Almanac by Cameron McNeish
Climbers guide to Arran, Arrochar and the Southern Highlands by K.V. Crocket & A. Walker
The Scottish Peaks by W.A. Poucher
Cicerone Guide - Central and Southern Scottish Highlands – backpacking guide by Graham Uney
Cicerone Guide - Scotland’s Mountain Ridges - A Guide to Scrambles and Climbs by Dan Bailey
Cicerone Guide - The Munros Vol 1 - Southern, Central and Western Highlands by Steve Kew
Landranger Map 56 - Loch Lomond & Inverary
OS Map Explorer sheet 364 - Loch Lomond North
Harvey Superwalker Map - Arrochar Alps
Visit Scotland
Discover Scotland
Undiscovered Scotland
The Scottish Mountaineering Club
Munro Magic
Hill Phones
Buachaille.com
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
Walk Highlands
Eleutheros - May 16, 2007 2:36 am - Hasn't voted
Extra ZeroIt sits at a height of 915 meters/30002 feet I think you have an extra 0 in there. -E
Boydie - May 16, 2007 4:42 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Extra ZeroThanks for noticing, have corrected to 3002ft. Boydie