Ben Venue from Loch Achray

From the Ben Venue car park by Loch Achray, a path crosses a marsh on boardwalks to the lane beside the Achray Water. Cross the river by the footbridge and follow signed paths and forest tracks up through the plantations to a wide path that runs up Gleann Riabhach on its north side. Above a waterfall it becomes rougher and boggier, then climbs to a large cairn on the bealach. Turn right here and climb steeply onto the knobbly ridge, which leads over rocky ground to the summit of Ben Venue (729 m). Return the same way.

It is 13.6 km with 698 m of ascent; allow about 5½ hours. The grade is Moderate: good tracks to the bealach, then a steep, rocky and eroded ridge.

Walkhighlands describes a boggy section above the waterfall and a rocky final path. The summit looks over Loch Katrine to Ben Lomond. Heading for the Scottish Hills lists the hill as Forestry and Land Scotland ground with no stalking issues, apart from low ground on the southern approach from Ledard.

The car park charges (£5 for the day, Forestry and Land Scotland) and fills early in good weather. The seasonal Trossachs Explorer bus runs past the start.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.