Ben Challum

Ben Challum, at 1,025 metres, is not a particularly distinguished-looking peak from the A82, showing only sprawling grassy slopes to that side, though its fine, shapely profile is far more prominent when viewed from Glen Lochay.

The standard route starts from a layby on the A82 just north of the Kirkton Farm turning. The walk crosses the road and follows a lane down to a bridge, continuing along a track to the farm before turning onto the West Highland Way, passing the remains of an old chapel and graveyard. Beyond the farmland, boggy sections undulate over minor bumps, with the going improving on a long, steady pull up to the south top, following a line of fenceposts almost all the way — views open out significantly here, with Ben More, Stob Binnein, and the Crianlarich hills crowding the horizon. From the south top, care is needed in mist since the ridge is split by a cleft; heading briefly west crosses this before the ridge continues north, dipping slightly before a final short climb to the true summit of Ben Challum.

A quieter and more scenic alternative starts from Auchtertyre Farm, climbing Gleann a' Chlachain through regenerating woodland to gain the mountain's north-west ridge directly — widely regarded by regular visitors as a considerably more enjoyable ascent than the standard boggy route, and one that includes a short, easily bypassed rocky scramble on clean rock around a third of the way up.

The out-and-back route from Kirkton Farm is around 14-15 kilometres with roughly 987 metres of ascent, typically five to seven hours.

The lower slopes are boggy in almost all conditions and waterproof footwear is essential; the summit ridge and plateau are notably exposed and genuinely featureless in mist, making the fenceline on the ascent a valuable navigation aid that shouldn't be relied upon entirely once beyond its end.

The A82 layby near Kirkton Farm is free, with space for 10-15 cars; Citylink buses between Fort William and Glasgow pass along the nearby A82.