Ben Chonzie: Hiking Guide – Everything You Need To Know

Ben Chonzie is one of the easiest Munros to ascend. The peak stands high above the heather moorland and is the highest peak in the area.

Ben Chonzie rises high above Glen Turret. The most popular route to climb Ben Chonzie is using the tracks from the west. 

This peak is one of the closest Munros to bag to Glasgow, Perth and Crieff. From the summit, there are amazing views across the southern Highlands and Perthshire. 

Ben Chonzie is a favourite mountain to climb by many hikers. Plenty of people keep going back to this hike to do it all over again. 

Ben Chonzie is known by locals as Ben-y-hone. In Scottish Gaelic, Ben Chonzie is known as Ceinn a’Choinnich, which translates to mossy mountains. 

Look out for the mountain hares, Ben Chonzie has a large population of these fast-running creatures. Interestingly, the cost of these hares changes from brown to white in the winter. 

Where is this hike?

The hike is located in rural Perthshire near Comrie. The route begins at the start of the Coishavachan track in Glen Lednock. 

The parking area is more of a big lay-by, there is space for approximately 10 cars. In the summer and busier times, the farmers occasionally open the field for more cars. 

From Comrie, it is a ten-minute drive. The starting point is an hour’s drive away from Perth and 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Dundee.

Glasgow is only one hour and 15 minutes away from the starting point. From Edinburgh, the starting point is approximately one hour and 40 minutes away. 

Ben Chonzie is over 2.5 hours away from Inverness and Aberdeen. 

How long is the hike?

The hike is 12.5 kilometres (7.75 miles), and the ascent is six kilometres long. The return route follows the same path on the ascent. Overall, the Munro takes between 4-5 hours to complete. 

The time taken to complete this Munro depends on an individual’s fitness and the weather conditions. 

As a rough guide, I completed this Munro with friends in March 2022. There was still snow on some parts of the route and it took us 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

Are the paths marked?

The beginning of the route follows a wide clear track. As the paths climb the path becomes less visible and near the summit there are not a lot of paths to follow. 

When I climbed this Munro there was a lot of snow cover on the route. The paths were still quite clear however we did try and take some detours. 

Is the trail suitable for beginners?

Ben Chonzie is a suitable Munro to bag for beginners. Many people choose Ben Chonzie as their first Munro to bag. 

This was the 8th Munro that I climbed. It is a busy route where we passed lots of people on the route. The easiness of the Munro depends on a person’s experience, fitness and weather conditions. 

How to get to the Munro?

The easiest way to climb the Munro is through Glen Lednock. Some more experienced Munro baggers attempt to bag this Munro from Glen Tummel. 

The starting point is at Coidhavachan track in Glen Lednock. Head to Comrie and the starting point is only a ten-minute drive from there. 

On route from Comrie, you can stop at the Deli Cauldron Waterfall. There is no public transport from Comrie to the starting point in Glen Lednock. 

Route Description

This route description describes the ascent and descent of Ben Chonzie. 

Ascent

The walk begins in a small parking area near the old school at Coishavachan. The parking area is almost a large lay by, therefore make sure you get there early before the parking area fills up. 

From the car park walk up the track to the two white buildings. At the row of cottages, follow the sign, turn right and go through the gate which leads onto a rougher track.

The track curves to the left and passes the buildings, then gently climbs uphill. There are plenty of sheep in this area. 

The track leads over a bridge and through a gate. As you gain altitude, the flank of Ben Chonzie comes into view. 

On the Invergeldie Burn, pass the small dam and climb up the other side. Soon, the track splits, keep on the main track and head uphill.

The track keeps climbing and crosses a shallow stream. Continue climbing and keep straight where the track leads off to the left. 

The route then leads left where there is a small cairn making the spot on the right. The path is boggy to start then improves. 

The first 4.5 kilometres follow the wide track and turn left at a small ford of the stream up the track leads up for hill. 

The route follows the easy, broad ridge where there are lovely views across the glen. The route starts to level off as you near the summit.

Near The Summit

Follow the line of metal fence posts which lead to the summit. This is particularly useful in poor weather conditions and acts as guidance to the summit.

The fence posts head northeast and heads up the final slope to the summit. The top of Ben Chonzie is a wide plateau, there is a circular summit cairn at the top.

At the summit, there is a large shelter and good views down to Loch Turret.

Descent

The descent follows the same route as the ascent. Follow the fence line then head back onto the bulldozed track. 

What to wear for this hike?

The best thing to wear for this hike is comfy loose-fitting clothing. Most people wear hiking gear, sports clothes or something warm. 

The higher you climb, the more prone you are to the wide diverse weather. The weather can change rapidly in Scotland so it is best to be prepared.

I would wear legging or walking trousers, thermals, t-shirts and jumpers. Also, it is important to wear good sturdy footwear such as walking shoes, hiking boots or trainers. 

Moreover, it is important to wear a good sturdy backpack which is comfortable to carry. Some people like to use walking poles as it helps with the pressure on the knees when they are walking. 

What to pack?

I would recommend packing a map and compass for the hike. It is a sparse area and if the weather changes dramatically and visibility becomes poor, you will need navigation to help you. 

Also, it is important to pack plenty of snacks and fluids. Keeping your energy up is the main priority and there are no facilities nearby. 

I would pack sunscreen (even in the winter), a hat, gloves, an extra pair of socks, extra layers and thermals. Also, in the summer make sure to pack insect repellent. 

Finally, make sure to bring a basic first aid kit and painkillers. If you are an inexperienced walker you might need pain relief for joints that get sore. 

Look at this packing guide for what to wear in Scotland.

How Long Does it take to walk up Ben Chonzie?

The guided time to complete this Munro is between 4-5 hours. As a rough guide, I climbed this Munro in March 2022 in 3 hours and 15 minutes. 

How difficult is Ben Chonzie?

Ben Chonzie is considered one of the easiest Munros. This is a popular choice for beginners and many people choose Ben Chonzie as their first Munro to bag. 

The difficulty of the mountains depends on the weather, a person’s experience and fitness. Ben Chonzie features a steady incline with some parts which are quite steep. 

The first and last kilometre before the summit is pretty gradual compared to other sections of the walk. 

As Ben Chonzie is a round flat plateau it is easy to get disorientated when there is mist, low cloud or fog. Make sure to use GPS or carry a map just in case the weather changes. 

What is the easiest route up Ben Chonzie?

The easiest route up Ben Chonzie is from Glen Lednock. Climbing Ben Chonzie from Glen Tummel is considered a difficult route and people who attempt this route are very experienced in climbing Munros. 

There is a wide track which leads you up a large proportion of Ben Chonzie from Glen Lednock. Make sure to carry a map and research your route before you set off.

Where is the starting point for Ben Chonzie?

The starting point for Ben Chonzie is at Coishavachan in Glen Lednock. There is a small parking area with a space for a dozen cars. 

The starting point is a ten-minute drive from Comrie. The parking area fills up very quickly so make sure to get there early. 

Final Note

This post explains everything you need to know to climb Ben Chonzie. Ben Chonzie is a popular Munro for beginners and many local people who live in Comrie and Crieff love hiking in this area. 

There are wide rocky tracks and paths that lead you to the summit of Ben Chonzie. From the summit, you can spot other Munro and mountain peaks in the Cairngorms. Down below, there is Loch Tummel. 

Make sure you are prepared to climb Munros. In Scotland, you can experience four seasons in one day, especially at higher summits the weather can change dramatically. 

The best time to climb this Munro is between May and September. Only attempt to climb Ben Chonzie in winter unless you have winter gear and experience climbing in winter. 

Always research and plan ahead before you set off. I use the following websites below to help guide my walk. 

For a more difficult route, walkers go past the Turret Reservoir, bag a Corbett – Auchnafree Hill (789 metres) and reach the summit. 

Below are some websites that can help you prepare for your hike.