Hiking Stuc a Chroin was my 3rd Munro, having climbed Ben Nevis and Ben Lomond in the month prior. Though my original plan was to hike Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich in one go, I ended up just doing Stuc a Chroin and Beinn Each/Ben Each.
The ups and downs on the Ben Each and Stuc a Chroin trail together with the icy conditions and the fact I was hiking solo, meant I decided to save Ben Vorlich for another day (that and I needed some more snacks!).
The Stuc a Chroin hike has several trailheads but I chose to start it from Ardchullerie Mor via Beinn Each.
Stuc a Chroin is a popular Munro since its near Callander in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and attracts many hillwalkers.
The peak’s Gaelic name means “Peak of Danger,” and given its steep northeast face which requires scrambling, you can see where the name comes from. that provides some fairly loose scrambling. If you’re not used to scrambling, it’s best to take the steep, eroded path that branches off to the right.
Despite being a steep and challenging hike, I had a brilliant morning hiking Stuc a Chroin, not seeing any other person on the trail until. I was headed back down. The views are incredible and you can make our Ben Ledi and even Ben Lomond from the summit.
If you’re looking for a hiking guide to Stuc a Chroin, I’ve included everything you need to know below.
Table of Contents
How to get to the trailhead for Stuc a Chroin
I started the walk up Beinn Each and Stuc a Chroin from just outside of Callander. The ‘car park’ from here is actually a layby with room for 5 or so cars as long as you all park nicely.
The layby at Ardchullerie Mhor along the banks of Loch Lubnaig is easy to get to by car, but trickier by public transport.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
From the layby, head to the southern end of the layby and look for a small trail that heads up alongside a fence and a river,
What to know before doing the Stuc a Chroin hike
In addition to checking the Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich weather, you must always abide by the following:
- Always practice leave no trace ethics and pack out anything you take with you.
- Stick to pre-existing trails to avoid eroding the landscape
- Always pack layers and waterproofs – this is Scotland after all!
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Make sure you walk with your 10 essentials.
Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!
Hiking Ben Each and Stuc a Chroin in the Trossachs
Starting from the layby on the A84 at Ardchullerie Mhor by Loch Lubnaig, head to the southern end of the layby and look for the small trail, with a sign pointing between a river and a fence.
Take this trail as it heads up through the forest until it comes out to a forestry track.
After about 1 km, the trail levels out and you’ll pass through a fence onto a forestry road. You get some amazing views ahead of you on a clean day, as well as views of the hills to both your left and right as you walk through this valley area.
As you climb uphill on the forestry road, look for a sign pointing you to your right and uphill on the Hill Route to Ben Each.
Don’t follow the AllTrails map here.
The AllTrails map tells you to ignore this sign and carry on the logging road for a bit before heading up the hill on your right where there is no defined path (that I could find anyway!). It’s much easier to go up where the sign points you and summit Ben Each on the way up and down.
The path here is quite narrow and can be boggy too so it’s a good idea to wear walking boots or good trail running shoes.
Follow the path as you go uphill going slightly left then right and around to the summit of Beinn Each.
If you wish you can even call it a day here having climbed the Corbett of Beinn Each. If you want to continue to Stuc a Chroin, you’ll head downhill from here before doing some more climbing.
Don’t take the direct line to Stuc a Chroin. Instead look for the faint path towards Bealach nan Cabar, using the OS Maps app, or AllTrails can help you navigate this.
Bear right at the Bealach following the wet ground for a few yards with the rocky outcrops to your left, before following a faint track up through the rocks to continue along the ridge.
This soon drops again before yet another gentle climb over another couple of ‘humps’.
Finally, drop down to a boggy area and then begin the final steep climb up to Stuc a Chroin.
At the summit of Stuc a Chroin, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including Ben Vorlich.
The simplest return is to retrace the route you took to get here which is what I ended up doing.
Stats for the Stuc a Chroin Hike
Below are some details for the two popular routes up Stuc a Chroin. Note that these are estimates only based on previous trip reports and my own experience and should not be taken to the metre.
Beinn Each and Stuc a Chroin walk
- Distance: 14 km
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Elevation: 1,100 m
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trail map on AllTrails+ (though ignore where it tells you to head uphill initially, follow my directions above instead, or the sign to climb up Beinn Each otherwise you’ll follow sheep paths and a river).
Ben Vorlich Stuc a Chroin
- Distance: 14.5 km
- Duration: 5-7 hours
- Elevation: 1,150 m
- Difficulty: Strenuous and includes a scramble
- Trail map on AllTrails+
What to pack for hiking Stuc a Chroin
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
- You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
Final thoughts on Stuc a Chroin
Hiking Stuc a Chroin is a challenging and rewarding experience and a great Munro to bag.
There are a lots of ups and downs on this hike which also takes you over Beinn Each along the way and during your return. Approaching Stuc a Chroin from this direction avoids a scramble that you’d need to. doif approaching from Ben Vorlich but you’ll still need good fitness and strong legs for this hike!
FAQs about walking Stuc a Croin Scotland
Are there two Ben Vorlich’s?
Yes, there are two mountains named Ben Vorlich in Scotland. One is located near Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and the other is located near Loch Earn in Stirlingshire, which is the one usually hiked along with Stuc a Chroin.
How long does it take to walk Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin?
The walk to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin can take around 8-10 hours, depending on the route taken and the fitness level of the hiker. It’s important to properly plan and prepare for this challenging walk
How do you pronounce stuc a chroin?
Stuc a Chroin is pronounced as “stook a kroin”.
What is the meaning of Stuc a Chroin?
Stuc a Chroin means “Peak of Danger” in Scottish Gaelic
Is Stuc a Chroin a munro?
Yes! Standing at 975 m, Stuc a Chroin is a munro.
Last Updated on June 2, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.