Ben Vorlich walk

Ben Vorlich (985 m) is a Munro slopping down to Loch Earn . Because of it's interesting surronds and quite easy walk to the top , I v'e been wanting to climb it one day. So at last I went there one saturday morning , just   got off  the bus in Lochearnhead . Then I started the walk by the small church ( picture below ) , where the south Loch Earn road joins A84 route .

So I followed a narrow asphalt road , which winds in greenery over Loch Earn . After maybe a mile long distance the Edinample Castle is seen, over the lakes' banks . The info on the tablet said the castle was built in the 16 th century and now the entry is restricted - private property .

Edinample Castle

Soon after the view of the castle disappeares , following the road , the bridge runs over the falls . At that point a dust road goes to the right , slighlty up and further through the Glen Ample . It's another possibility to get to Ben Vorlich , via Stuc A' Chroin . But I did not chose this option ,  I prefered to go ahead along the lake and get to the top via Glen Vorlich . Easier route anyway .                                                              

The falls in Edinample

I left the bridge behind me and carried on the asphalt road , amid lush forest , that's really nice area to have a stroll . From time to time I had to stop , to let cars pass me . After around 5 mile walk from the A84 I reached the place called Ardvorlich , where the trail to Ben Vorlich starts .

Behind Ardvorlich  Estate the path leads to the right , along the stream and climbs up the foots of Ben Vorlich . There is another path leading to the left and Glen Vorlich ,a long valley running to the south . It is possible to get to the top through Glen , from the east side , but this is longer way . So I didn't continue along the stream and took the path strightly to Ben Vorlich's top .                                                               

Ardvorlich Estate     

The path running  directly up to the summit of Ben Vorlich , starts above Ardvorlich Estate .

After getting over the tree-line, the wider panorama of Loch Earn reveals . The trail is comfortable to walk , in some points small streams cross the path , so good boots are desireable .

The massif of Ben Vorlich seen somewhere at the halfway  .

Looking to the left (east),  down , Glen Vorlich is could be seen.

And final ascent , after the rest  just a bit more energy to climb the top .

On Ben Vorlich's top - view to the East .

Finally , after 2 hrs climb , I reached the top . Actually , there are two tops , the west one is a couple of metres higher . There is another munro behind , Stuc A' Chroin , just a short distance to the south - west .

I followed then the path down to the west

View to the north of Ben Vorlich

The path I took descending Ben Vorlich led directly to Stuc A' Chroin ( the picture , left ) , so one can climb two munros during the walk . The peaks are separated  by a pass , where I expected to find the trail down , back to Loch Earn . But the trail ran only up the slope to the summit of Stuc A' Chroin . As I didn't want to walk to the next top , I choose a shortcut , along the stream and down to the valley and Loch . The stream below the pass ran down to the north -west and after a half an hour I found a wide path , clearly uded by vehicles, on the right hand side of the stream . But I dont recommend this way of getting to the valley , as the ground around the stream is marshy and difficult to walk .

Stuc A' Chroin seen from the path after descending Ben Vorlich                                                                  

View from the pass to north - west .

Once I found the right path , I could quickly move , down along Corrie Fhuadarach and into Glen Ample , the long valley runing to Loch Earn .

The lower slopes above Glen Ample are covered with the forest , so that was a nice change . The road finally led me to flatter terrain , so I knew I wasn't far away from Edinample on the banks of  Loch Earn .

When I finally got out of woods , I saw a small farm estate , and to my surprise , a peacock walking amongst buildings . The bird was amazing and when I was taking a photo , it flew away , majestically .

Behind the farm the road led stright to Edinample , where from I got back to bus stop in Lochearnhead .