Walk on the wild side - A mini adventure in the "Alps"

Published on Tuesday 27 January 2009 14:31

BEN Vane is the finest of the Arrochar Alps and I had the pleasure of being there in the midst of the recent very cold spell, but on a day of bright blue skies and very little cloud.

Clearly Arrochar is not in Switzerland, but calling the hills around the village "the Arrochar Alps" is a tribute to this compact area of crags and jagged tops – which with a winter's snow-covering could well be a scaled-down version of the Alps.

Ben Vane is one of a trio of Munros, the other two being Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime, packed into a small area bounded by the A83 and in the north and east by Glen Kinglas, Loch Sloy and Glen Loin. A fourth Munro, Ben Vorlich, lies to the north-east above Loch Sloy.

Vane is an Anglicised version of mheadhoin (in fact, vane and mheadhoin are pronounced the same], meaning middle or central. When viewed from Ben Lomond, Ben Vane is certainly the middle hill, almost tucked away between Beinn Narnain and Ben Vorlich.

At 915m/3,002ft Ben Vane is the lowest of the four Munros and, just squeezing past the 3,000ft mark, is at number 283, the joint-lowest Munro in terms of height. Nevertheless, despite its modest bulk, it is a superb viewpoint and its craggy and very steep slopes, so typical of the area, need to be treated with respect. In the summer Ben Vane is often climbed with Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime, but on a bad, or short, winter day only this single hill is recommended.

By far the most popular approach is from Inveruglas by Loch Lomond, climbing the south-east ridge. Do not underestimate this approach. This might be a short outing, but it is steep in places, the path is eroded at times and there is a bit of modest scrambling needed near the top. The mild scramble is of a more serious nature when the rock, nowadays more polished, is covered in rime or ice.

You will need Ordnance Survey map 56, Loch Lomond and Inveraray area. Park at the tourist car park (Inveruglas) on the loch side of the very busy Loch Lomond road, opposite the Loch Sloy power station. There is now a made path/pavement, fenced off and safe, alongside the A82, connecting the car park (now with new toilets, visitor centre and cafe – but parking remains free) and the start of the hydro road at map ref 318093. Do not use the small parking space by the locked gate at the end of this road.

Head west up the Tarmac road, passing under the railway. The walk in to the south-east ridge is pretty enough if you can ignore the electricity pylons and substation on the way. (An earlier branch in the road leads round the southern slopes of Ben Vorlich.) Keep left at a second branch – the northern way leads up to Loch Sloy – and cross a bridge to a gravel track. Within a short distance is the worn path, usually wet and muddy, testament to the popularity of this approach. The path keeps to the east side of a small crag. I prefer to continue slightly further on the track, then climb grassy slopes on the south side of the crag; a better option in terms of mud etc. Both ways lead to a small wet plateau at the base of the ridge.

The slope soon steepens and approaches the first of many crags. There is a prominent vertical slit cave at the top of the first steep section and this is often aimed for, and then paused in, as the shelf beneath it gives a fine view. And higher up, where the mild scrambling comes, there is an easier – if still steep – option on the left in ascent. Be aware of the sharp dip before the final climb to the summit. This is deep and well defined enough to confuse people in thick mist. I would wager that every now and then someone stops on the east side of the dip, convinced they have reached the top, whereas it is actually several minutes further on.

The summit area is compact, with the cairn near the sharp ascent. A second cairn lies to the west and the stroll over is recommended. In any case, do pick a good-weather day and take your time at the summit for there are superb views down Loch Lomond and over to Ben Lomond.

Factfile

Map Ordnance Survey map 56, Loch Lomond & Inveraray area

Distance 6 miles

Height 900m

Terrain Path (and road) all the way to the summit

Start point Inveruglas car park, map ref 322098

Time 4 to 5 hours

Nearest villages Ardlui and Tarbet

Nearest refreshment spot Inveruglas Coffee Shop