Explore Cowal

Starting off from upper Glenmassan,climbing to the summit of Beinn Mhor ( 741mts) continuing to A’Chruach before a final descent to Benmore Gardens.

Four hardy souls signed up this epic 10 mile walk. Gillian, Renata,Russell and myself joined Roy our guide for the day. A special mention to Renata and Russell who were paying their first visit to Scotland from Canada and were wanting to sample some of the Scottish wilderness.

The weather forecast didn’t disappoint and provided us with a dry clear day for this high level walk.

Left to right – Beinn Mhor and the ridge. 

Starting off at the end of the public road in Glenmassan, the first section on level forestry road leads to the old sheep fank where the climb starts. The road continues steadily uphill, winding it’s way through the trees. The road terminates and is replaced with an ATV track which again climbs through the trees giving access to the open hill.

Following the well defined ATV track as it turns left followed by a right onto the ridge that leads to the summit, looking back provides great views to Loch Tarsan and beyond.

Beinn Mhor summit conquered 

Summit 360 degree video. 

https://youtu.be/oKHLMjK1la8 

After a bite to eat it was time to set off for Benmore Gardens. Taking in Creachan Mor, Creachan Beag and A’Chruach before  descending to Benmore Gardens. A fantastic section providing wonderful vistas of the surrounding area. Referring to this section as a ridge may be a bit dramatic at he plateau is quite wide. However, when walking along the edge of Coire an t-Sith to gain views of Loch Eck, there is definitely a sense of exposure. The prominent rocky formation of Clach Bheinn is never out of sight.

The gate marks the exit from the open hillside, an ATV track descends down to the forestry road above Benmore then access to the top of the Gardens. The path through the Gardens is followed back to Benmore Cafe.

An interactive map with pictures ( all 93 of them !)  and statistics is available by CLICKING HERE

A standard map of route.