O.S. Triangulation Pillar - Ben Cleuch, Clackmannanshire. - U.K. and Ireland Trigpoints on Waymarking.com

Ben Cleuch, at 721 metres, is the highest point of the Ochil Hills, a range that runs eastwards from Stirling, through Clackmannanshire and Perthshire, and ending in the northern part of Fife. They are rolling to the north and steep to the south above the Forth Valley. The summit is situated above the southern escarpment and the towns of Alva and Tillicoultry and is the high point of a rolling ridge that runs west to east.

The summit area consists of a view indicator, and an Ordnance Survey trig pillar set within a stone-built circular shelter. The pillar was originally constructed in 1936 and was replaced with the current structure. The remains of the original are incorporated into the shelter.

Views are not surprisingly extensive given its position, with the Highlands to the north and the central Lowlands to the south. The best of the view is to the mountains to the north-west.

STEEPNESS: A steep climb from the south, easing towards the summit.

TERRAIN: Grass, with the occasional muddy patch.

ACCESSIBILITY: Despite the steepness of the southern flank, this is the shortest way to the summit, being only two miles north of the towns of Alva and Tillicoultry where steep sided glens cut into the hills and offer popular routes to the summit. It is less steep to the north, but access points are around five miles away.

NAVIGATION: Both routes from the towns to the south use tracks through glens to gain the upper reaches of the hills. From Tillicoultry a path runs northwards through Mill Glen, before climbing over The Law and then bearing north-westwards to reach the summit ridge. From Alva, a track climbs through the Silver Glen before forking right to climb Ben Ever where the path then heads up the hillside north-eastwards, then east to reach the summit.

DANGER: Steep ground on the climb out of Mill Glen, and route finding in mist on the summit ridge.