Ben Chonzie from Glen Lednock

A Beginner-Friendly Munro with Big Views and Easy Terrain

Ben Chonzie (931m) is often recommended as one of the easiest Munros in Scotland — and for good reason. Set in the rolling Southern Highlands, it’s got a clear path, gentle gradients, and minimal exposure, making it perfect for anyone new to mountain walking.

The route from Glen Lednock is the most popular and direct approach. While it’s not the most dramatic Munro in terms of terrain, it’s an ideal confidence-builder and a fantastic way to dip your boots into the world of Scottish peak bagging.

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Quick Stats

• Location: Glen Lednock, near Comrie
  
• Height: 931m
  
• Distance: ~12km (out and back)
  
• Time: 4–5 hours
  
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
  
• Start/Finish: Coishavachan farm track, Glen Lednock
  
• OS Map: Explorer 368
  
• Facilities: None on site — nearest in Comrie village
  

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Route Overview

Park near the end of the public road in Glen Lednock, just before Coishavachan farm. A clear estate track leads you through pastoral farmland, before giving way to open moorland.

Follow the path alongside a burn (stream), through a gate, and steadily climb as the landscape opens up. Once through the heather, you’ll find a fence line that becomes a useful navigation aid all the way to the summit.

The final section is across a wide, grassy plateau with gentle undulations before reaching the summit cairn, which offers panoramic views across Loch Turret and into the Southern Highlands.

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Terrain Breakdown

• Initial section: Track and grassy path, good underfoot
  
• Mid-section: Open hillside, boggy in parts
  
• Upper slopes: Faint but visible path following fence posts
  
• Summit: Broad, featureless plateau — use nav in poor visibility
  
• Descent: Retrace your steps
  

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Key Highlights

• Perfect for first-time Munro baggers or a chilled weekend hike
  
• Consistently easy terrain with no technical ground
  
• Views over Loch Turret and towards Ben Lawers on a clear day
  
• Wildlife bonus: you’re very likely to spot mountain hares darting through the heather
  

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What to Watch Out For

• While easy underfoot, it’s still exposed — pack layers
  
• After wet weather, the route can get boggy — gaiters recommended
  
• The summit area is wide and flat, which can be disorienting in mist
  
• No phone signal in much of the glen — let someone know your plan
  

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What to Bring

• Sturdy boots (waterproof highly recommended)
  
• Map and compass, or a GPS route
  
• Waterproofs, hat, gloves — the summit can be chilly, even in summer
  
• Food and snacks (there are no facilities or shelter)
  
• Emergency foil blanket or bivvy bag — standard Munro kit
  
• Trekking poles (optional but helpful on the way down)
  

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Optional Add-Ons

• Make a day of it with lunch in Comrie or explore the Deil’s Cauldron walk nearby
  
• Visit Loch Turret Reservoir — another quiet, scenic walking spot just up the road
  
• Use Ben Chonzie as a warm-up for bigger days like Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn) or Meall nan Tarmachan
  

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Final Thoughts

Ben Chonzie might not have the drama of Glencoe or the ridges of Torridon — but what it does have is approachability, peacefulness, and big-sky Highland views.

If you’re new to Munro bagging or just want a low-effort, high-reward day out, Ben Chonzie from Glen Lednock is a brilliant pick. It’s the kind of hill that makes you feel like you’ve achieved something, without the Type 2 suffering.

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Photo by Katherine  Carlyon on Unsplash