A stunning day in the high Breadalbane bags two Munros – Ben Lawers and Beinn Ghlas – and a wee heat on the banks of Loch Tay.
Ben Lawers is the 10th highest Munro, but a high-level car park takes a good deal of the sting out of getting to the summit. It’s the tallest of the Ben Lawers 7, which can be taken as a 22km round, but that might not leave you much time for a sauna. This route takes in Beinn Ghlas on the way to the summit, after which most of your climbing is behind you. A clear day offers superb views of the loch, surrounding peaks and the Trossachs.
Hiking boots on the ground with WildEmber Bothy in the background. Credit: Julia Clarke
Ben Lawers + WildEmber Bothy: route description
Start/finish: Ben Lawers car park (NN608377) | Map: OL48 Ben Lawers | Distance: 11.3km / 7 miles | Ascent: 942m / 3,090ft | Duration: 4 – 6 hours | Difficulty: 3/5
1. NN608377: From the car park, follow the sign-posted trail heading N. Go through a gate and ignore the Nature Trail forking off to the right, heading straight up towards Beinn Ghlas.
2. NN616393: After 2km, keep right at the fork. The climbing gets steeper after 700m, and a few switchbacks are required to reach the shoulder, then the summit of Beinn Glas.
3. NN625405: Continue NE along the ridge towards Ben Lawers, losing only 100m elevation before the final short climb to the summit.
4. NN635414: Return to the bealach, then bear right at the fork to avoid re-climbing Bhein Ghlas and instead enjoy a lovely walk SW then S through the lush glen between Beinn Ghlas and Meall Corranaich to rejoin the main trail further down.
Fliss in the plunge bath at WildEmber Bothy. Credit: Julia Clarke
THE WEE HEAT: WildEmber Bothy
In 20 minutes, you can be watching red squirrels and chaffinches in the trees from WildEmber Bothy on the northern shore of tranquil Loch Tay at the Scottish Crannog Centre. Owned by adventure therapist Dave Girling, this spot also offers yoga classes in a yurt and kayaking. The sauna’s exterior is made from larch so that over time it will blend into the surrounding landscape, while the interior is made from dark spruce to mimic the feel of a bothy.
For more summit-to-sauna Munro days, see Julia Clarke’s guide to the best in Scotland.
