Ptarmigan

About Ptarmigan

Often treated as just a steep speed-bump on the way to Ben Lomond, this rugged summit deserves more respect. Ascending via the Ptarmigan path offers a craggy alternative to the tourist motorway, providing superior loch-side views and significantly fewer crowds.

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Did You Know?

• •Ptarmigan sits on the northwestern ridge of Ben Lomond and is classified as a Munro Top. It offers a dramatic look at the craggy north face of its famous parent peak, a view completely missed by those taking the easier main path.
• •The ascent via the Ptarmigan path is the traditional 'hikers' route,' involving a steep, rocky pull that will definitely remind you exactly where your quadriceps are located before you even reach the main Munro summit.
• •The fell is named after the hardy mountain bird that changes plumage to match the snow. While you might spot a real ptarmigan, you are far more likely to encounter a damp hiker questioning their life choices in the mist.
• •From the summit cairn at 778m, the vista across the islands of Loch Lomond is arguably more balanced than from the very top of Ben Lomond. It provides the perfect perspective of the Highland Boundary Fault line.
• •Ptarmigan serves as the ultimate psychological trap for the unwary. Reaching this summit only to realize the actual Munro is still looming another 200 meters above you is a spiritual experience usually expressed through creative Scottish swearing.