Alva to Ben Ever & Ben Cleuch, The Ochil Hills, Clackmannanshire

Having conquered Ben Cleuch, Tommy finds a suitable rock to climb so he can adopt his smug pose! (click / tap to enlarge)

We've made quite a few trips into the Ochils recently. Last week we decided to venture up to the highest peak in the range, Ben Cleuch. The peak is at 721 metres but it wasn't the clearest of days and so the views weren't brilliant. It was still a great walk though.

We took the route from Alva, near the cemetery, which follows the 4x4 track then continues up grassy paths to Ben Ever (622m) and on to Ben Cleuch. As is to be expected, it's quite a climb and fairly steep. The paths are pretty good in the dry but I would be careful about attempting it in bad weather as it will be boggy and slippery in parts. We didn't fancy the commonly used circular route via The Law as it's a bit too steep and something of a scramble in places.

I'd recommend a slight variation to the route since parking is too limited by the cemetery and it's not easy to park. The revised route is shown at the end of the article and starts at the car park for Alva Glen instead of the cemetery. The car park is also linked at the bottom of the article. The walk is approximately 3.1 miles each way. Much of the walk is on lead, as there are sheep dotted across the hillsides. Watch out for the occasional farm vehicle on the 4x4 track too. There is also one stile that we had to lift the dogs over at the bottom of Ben Ever. Finally, make sure you have suitable clothing for Ben Cleuch as it's often pretty cold and windy up there!

Information is current as of our last visit in April 2023. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Here are the photos:

 

The view over Alva and out towards the Wallace Monument and Stirling (click / tap to enlarge)

The 4x4 track zig zags and soon climbs up to some great vantage points

On the path up to Ben Ever, looking back towards The Nebit with the Forth Valley in the distance. Tommy and the wife are behind and are taking a more sensible pace, whereas I'm walking Jasper who has a different speed setting!

Tommy looking a bit windswept at the summit of Ben Ever!

Tommy at Ben Ever with the Forth Valley looking a long way down below!

Coming down the path from Ben Ever with Jasper. The Ben Cleuch path stretches upwards in the distance to the right.

Looking back down from Ben Cleuch, while Tommy and the other half catch up after Jasper has predictably got up there pretty quickly!

Tommy making use of the wind shelter at the Ben Cleuch summit trig point

Jasper isn't bothered by the wind and looks like he's ready to conquer another summit! Nobody else is though!

Burnfoot Wind Farm from Ben Cleuch

A cloudy view out over the hills and The Forth Valley from Ben Cleuch

Heading back down from Ben Ever

Route map - part 1 of 2 (click / tap to enlarge)

Route map - part 2 of 2

Link to parking at start location on Google Maps

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