Ben Starav - Highland, Scotland
Posted by: 
creg-ny-baa
N 56° 32.335 W 005° 02.986
30V E 373955 N 6267943
Summit of Ben Starav, a prominent mountain near Loch Etive in the Highlands of Scotland.
Waymark Code: WM186WD
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/11/2023
Views: 1
Ben Starav, at 3541 feet, 1078 metres, is a large mountain reached from Glen Etive in the west highlands of Scotland. From the glen its bulk becomes apparent from the north towards the end of the public road where most ascents begin. Its north ridge rises to two small pointed summits to the east of Loch Etive. The summit is a small cairn a few feet south of the stump of a cylindrical Ordnance Survey pillar. Being the highest mountain in the area, the views are extensive in all directions.
STEEPNESS: An unrelenting climb southwards from the glen, taking the path of least resistance up the south ridge.
TERRAIN: Grass and rocks with a worn path snaking up the hillside to the summit area where there is a boulder field.
ACCESSIBILITY: The shortest route to the summit begins on the Glen Etive road near Coileitir around two miles from the end of the road at the loch end. It is around two and a half miles to the summit from here.
NAVIGATION: From the road, a track heading in the wrong direction at first to cross the River Etive, then heads southwards to gain the start of the ridge. From here all the way to the summit, keep to the highest part of the ridge. An alternative route to the east, heads up the corrie of the Allt nam Meirteach to gain the col to the east of the summit. From here head west along the ridge and over the subsidiary top of Stob Coire Dheirg.
DANGER: Some exposure, especially to the left on the higher points of the ridge. Some scrambling required the boulder section just before the summit.