Route map

Description

Ben A’an is another fantastic hike in the Trossarchs and one that is incredibly popular during summer months. It presents a similar challenge to Conic Hill in terms of distance and elevation, but I’d argue the views from the top are even more spectacular on a clear day.

If you’re just getting into hiking, this is a fantastic hike to test the legs and get a taste of a hill that is a little more munro-like in stature and looks visually impressive.

Route

The hike starts from the Ben A’an car park just off the banks of Loch Achray - it cost us £5 for the parking ticket and we had to make sure we arrived fairly early given the popularity of this hike in the summer months. It’s worth noting that there are no facilities at the car park so make sure you have everything you need before you set off.

You start by crossing the road and following the path up through the forest which immediately starts to climb up the slopes of Ben A’an. The path is incredibly well marked and easy to follow. The ascent is broken up into two main sections with a flatter section in the middle which gives you a chance to catch your breath before the final push to the summit.

The views from the top are absolutely stunning and well worth the effort of the climb. Looking across the water, you can see Ben Venue as well as popular hikes like Ben Lomond and the Cobbler. The descent is just as easy as the ascent and you can be back at the car park in no time at all.

Be warned, if you’re climbing this in the heart of summer, the midges can be absolutely brutal so make sure you have some repellent with you to keep them at bay. This was our first hike at the height of midge season and we were absolutely eaten alive on the way up and down the hill during the breaks in the wind.