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Ben Lui

Munro

Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1130 m (3707 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN26622628
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
28 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Hill of the calf
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  50   Glen Orchy & Loch Etive
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

 Description
Ben Lui is a magnificent mountain, particularly when the great Coire Gaothaich is filled with snow. The sides of the coire are formed by parallel NE ridges, and the more northern of these (Stob Garbh) is the classic ascent route from within the corrie via the track in Glen Cononish.

A shorter route from the A85 in Glen Lochy ascends the NW ridge from where the splendour of this mountain cannot be appreciated.

The SW ridge leads to the smaller and less inspiring Beinn a' Chleibh and the SSW ridge leads to a bealach at the head of Coire Laoigh from where you can descend down the Glen or ascend Ben Oss.

Hazards you may encounter on Ben Lui include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Ben Lui

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

 Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)
West Highlands
by Met Office
Ben Lui
by Metcheck
Ben Lui Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

 Where to Stay
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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Ben Lui.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

 Routes that include Ben Lui
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1400 m 24.08 km 7.5 hrs Ben Lui and Beinn a' Chleibh  This is the best route to Ben Lui the ascent from Coire Gaothach is steep but not difficult, however, Stob Garbh is difficult when there is ice on the tops.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Ben Lui

 Baggers Gallery for Ben Lui

Me at the top of Ben Lui May 2012

© Claire Cassidy

Image by Claire Cassidy

Calum H and me at the summit.

© Derrick Reid

Image by Derrick Reid

Me Chilling at thew top of Ben Lui 30/06/2011

© Alexander McMillan

Image by Alexander McMillan

Elizabeth and Ruth support Ian on summit of Ben Lui.

© Ian Nixon

Image by Ian Nixon
View All 40 Baggers Images for Ben Lui
The logging section stores any entries for Ben Lui in your own log. From here you can
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 Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Daniel Carter on 14 Jan 2024
David Griffin on 22 Oct 2023
Liam O'Hagan on 10 Jun 2023
Arlene Johnston on 12 May 2023
Alister Richmond on 08 May 2023
Alasdair Cairns on 19 Apr 2023
scott mitchell on 08 Apr 2023
Scott Cameron on 07 Apr 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Beinn a' Chleibh and Ben Lui
by Alan Parker
Beinn Dubhchraig, Ben Oss, Ben Lui and Beinn a' Chleibh
by Stephen Maddocks
Ben Lui and Beinn a' Chleibh
by Brendan Waters

Post a few words about Ben Lui or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 17 comments. Would you like to view all 17?
Ian Nixon
wrote on
October 10, 2011
Approached from Cononish this is a splendid walk with a fine ascent via the NE ridge. Excellent views all round and an easy traverse to Beinn a' Chleibh. If you have employed the two car strategy you will have to descend into Fionn Choirein and the forest. In the forest particularly the terrain is very boggy with deep mud in many places and only a narrow passage through the trees which must be detoured at times or waist deep mud baths are the order of the day. The route may be easier in summer but will still be quite wet. Finally the river crossing may entail boots off and trousers up.
Kenneth Pepper
wrote on
October 16, 2010
climbed ben lui on thursday 14th october,not one sole in sight,started from darigh along the track to the sheep farm,once at the plateau i took a left,traversed along the slope towards the plane wreckage then up the gully and finally to the top,would say in winter this would be hard
mackenzie barker
wrote on
October 31, 2008
Climbed Ben Lui via the central gully, a recommended winter scramble great for testing out ice axe and crampons.
Craig Robinson
wrote on
August 30, 2006
Climbed Ben Lui and Beinn a Chleib on a beautiful summers day July 06. Starting from the A85 in Glen Lochy, this route gives a shorter ascent to these two hills. That is it's only quality. There is no easy way over the Eas Diamh ouflow, even in dry conditions,just get your boots off and get on with it! The path through the forrest is terrible. Really boggy and one of the worst l have encountered. When you make it to the open hillside, things improve. From the top of Ben Lui, the views are tremendous. A Fantastic vantage point to view the southern Highland mountains.
Ben Dolphin
wrote on
February 20, 2006
Stood atop Ben Lui a few years back in what could only be described as filthy 'summer' weather. Feb 18th however, couldn't have been further removed. Very cold, light wind, clear blue skies and the most stunning approach to a mountain you could wish for. With deep snow filling Coire Gaothach and heavily laden ridges running to the summit, Ben Lui has a Himalyan air to it. A wonderful day, though the ridge from Stob Garbh to the summit was a little dicey at times. Good job the trail had already been broken.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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 Route Write-Ups
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