Ben Starav

Ben Starav, at 1,078 metres, is an imposing mountain that rears up steeply from the head of Loch Etive, the highest peak in a compact group of rugged summits and a tough ascent by any standards.

The route starts from a parking layby opposite the track to Coiletir on the Glen Etive road, following the track down and over a bridge across the River Etive. Beyond a junction, a hydro track bypasses the cottage at Coiletir before reaching the Allt Mheuran, crossed via two bridges a few metres upstream. On the south side of the burn, a wet path leads to the lower slopes of Ben Starav's northern shoulder, where the route leaves the glen path to climb the north ridge directly — rough, steep, and sometimes wet underfoot, with the angle easing somewhat between 400 and 500 metres before the ridge becomes better defined, drier, and increasingly bouldery. The ridge levels at around 800 metres before a final narrowing crest, with some easy scrambling and boulder-hopping, leads to the summit and its distinctive, disintegrating cylindrical trig point — a fitting reward given sensational views of Loch Etive backed by Ben Cruachan.

Most fit walkers continue the ridge south-east over Stob Coire Dheirg to the second Munro, Glas Bheinn Mhòr, before descending via a bealach and the Allt Mheuran back to the start; very fit parties sometimes extend further to Beinn nan Aighenan or beyond.

The round trip taking in both Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhòr is a long day of around 18-20 kilometres with substantial ascent, typically eight to ten hours.

This is a serious, remote mountain with an almost continuous, unrelenting climb from near sea level and rapid weather changes typical of its exposed position above Loch Etive — in winter it should be avoided by those without full mountaineering experience and equipment.

Parking near Coiletir is free but very limited, holding only a handful of vehicles; there is no public transport to the start.