Ben Lomond (974m) - 20/07/2023 (Munro 104)
Distance: 12km; Ascent: 990m; Time: 5h
We stayed for 2 nights at the Rowardennan Hotel. This hotel is geared up to cater for people stopping for a 1-night stay as they walk the West Highland Way. We have looked at doing this route but have been put off by how much of it is alongside busy roads. Even here on the quiet east side of Loch Lomond the sound of the A82 on the west side was a constant feature. We opted for a 2-night stay to give us more than one day on which we could climb Ben Lomond. As it turned out we made the ascent on the day of our arrival and would have preferred to move on the next day.
The accommodation at the hotel was distinctly average and the room had limited wifi. The evening food was good, but the restaurant/bar was busy and under-staffed - on the second evening Alison's food was served to someone else, so I had finished mine before hers eventually arrived. Breakfast on the first morning was poor with a luke-warm "hot" meal, much better on the second morning. We made the ascent of Ben Lomond from the hotel and followed the Walk Highlands route via Ptargmigan on the way up. Great views along Loch Lomond all the way and the ridge between Ptarmigan and Ben Lomond was enjoyable. North of Rowardennan the West Highland Way divides into an easier option that follows a forestry track and a rougher rockier section that follows the lake shore. On 21st July we walked north for ~6km on the forestry track and then returned on the shore track. The woodland walk we took to get from one track to the other was probably the nicest section of the walk. The views of Loch Lomond and the hills on the opposite shore are best from the shore track. |