Winter

Strachur, Hill Lochs and Waterfalls. Scotways routes 97 and 98.

Posted by explorecowal on March 13, 2023

Posted in: Bothy, Cowal Way, forestry commission, Heritage Paths, Walking. Tagged: Argyll, Bothy, Cowal, Explore, glenbranter, Hill, loch, lochan, lochgoilhead, mountain, outdoors, paths, Scotways, strachur, walk, walking, waterfall, Winter. Leave a comment

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve updated this page, but I’ve been out n about… honest. Mostly on routes already recorded, but this one is something different. This route combines Scotways routes 97 and 98 forming a loop starting and finishing at Invernoaden south of Glenbranter. Weather conditions were exceptional!

Route Name: Strachur Hill Lochs and Waterfalls

Terrain: Forestry Road, pathway and open hill

Distance: 13 miles

Features: Loch Lomond and Cowal Way (part of) Curra Lochain, Struth Ban Falls and Lochan Nan Cnaimh. Oh a locked Bothy as well.

Parking at Invernoaden in the car park that was built for the Lauder Monument, the path leads to the monument then joins the unsurfaced loop road that serves the properties. Turn right on joining it and head round the crescent till a gated forestry road appears on the right. Following the forestry road it meets another, keep right at this point and continue climbing till you join the Cowal Way ( now Loch Lomond and Cowal Way).

The forestry road heading out of Invernoaden

From here the marker posts guide you on your way. The last time I was on the section of LLCW ( Cowal Way in a Day ) the pathway from the end of forestry road to Curra Lochain hadn’t been install, this is an excellent addition.

Now, I hope the following photos do the Lochain (Lochan) justice, I think they almost do. Once you’re at the end of the lochan there are two options, one take the multi purpose road ( sounds boring,ha) OR cross the outfall of the lochan and head down the subsequent waterfalls. The ground is wet and tussocky but worth the effort negotiating it!

That’s enough of that, plenty of more photos but thought I better draw the line somewhere…. now the Falls.

There wasn’t a great deal of water in the falls yet they’re still stunning. Numerous spots for photo opportunities, I even managed out to one of the wee islands to make a coffee.

The climb down from the falls isn’t so well way marked but there is a trodden path of sorts that leads you into the trees then down to the forestry road.

One on the road turn right and over the wooden bridge. Climb up to the Y junction and take a right. Head up the glen looking back over to the falls.

Looking over the glen to the falls, gives an idea of scale.

At the end of the road there is a quad track that replaced the firebreak that once existed. This terminates eventually, you leave this by dropping down crossing a wee burn and sucking under a fallen tree. Continuing along the break, a trodden path is evident in parts. Once you reach a burn running across the path you cross it and start climbing through the forest or burn side ( keeping it on the left ).

The burn that requires crossing followed by a climb to the open hill.

Out the tree line and onto the open hill there is a low fence to step over. Once negotiated you head towards a large rocky face, keeping to the left of it – you have arrived at Lochan Nan Cnaimh, what a place. I chose to circumnavigate the lochan rather than skirt round the northern side to head direct to the bealach.

Once round the lochan it’s the hike up the hill to the bealach, no set route just wind your way up, some good spots for further photos (rest stops).

Once on the bealach there are a series of old posts. Initially fence posts but there are a few with faded markers. You can navigate to them in series, most you can see next one to head for. The direct path isn’t always the best, it’s pretty boggy up there but as long as you’re progressing in the right direction (south west) that’s the main thing.

Once across the bealach you need to pass through a plantation. Gated access/exits either side. There are marker posts are evident. Just before reaching the gate there’s a steep wee gully to conquer, it poses no real issues with its grassy banks and narrow stream.

Nearing the exit of the plantation, another gate and a stone path through the trees leads to the forestry road.

Joining the forestry road head to the right and make your way back to the parking point. Past the Hydro scheme at the top of the Glen descending on the way marked Loch Eck Loop ( white posts)

All in all a great walk, a great way to spend a day on the hills. Take food n drink and enjoy the scenery. 👍

Not seen enough? I took some videos of the route and stuck them on YouTube

If you have 20 mins spare watch this 🍿

Map on Outdoor Active HERE

The Cobbler for Sunrise

Posted by explorecowal on February 13, 2019

Posted in: Walking. Tagged: Arrochar, Cobbler, Corbett, Cowal, Explore, Hill, mountain, the, walk, Winter. 3 Comments

It’s been a while since I put anything on here! I have been out n about but mostly mundane repetitive stuff aimed at shifting some weight! Been busy the last 6 months renovating a flat so I’ve lost a few seasons!!

Anyway……. the Cobbler in Arrochar, Ben Arthur as it’s also known. A fine Corbett and always a busy one too – despite the £9 a day parking charge at the Succoth car park. A well documented hill, with a well trodden defined path to the summit, threading the needle an option for the brave or mentalists 😂.

Moral of the story is my mate text to see if I wanted head to the Cobbler on Saturday, sure….why not? I could do with some Hill time. He then confirmed it’d be good to be on the summit for sunrise!! A 04:30 drive from Dunoon was the start of our journey. This did afford us the luxury of being first on the hillside breaking a trail through the spindrift sometimes hard to distinguish snowy path.

Enough narrative, photos can explain the rest 👍

Dark ascent.

First light.

Final ascent.

It was -18 on the summit for sunrise! Needs less to say, spending 20 minutes at the top was enough time up there. A great day on a fantastic hill in great conditions. My micro spikes proving their worth on the lower paths, especially on the descent.

Attempted to load a video but it’s not having it!!

Looking forward to getting back out 👍🍺

Beinn Mhor, winter walk.

Posted by explorecowal on January 26, 2016

Posted in: Trig Point, Walking. Tagged: beinn, Cowal, mhor, walk, Winter. Leave a comment

I haven’t visited Beinn Mhor since October last year whilst on a walk with Cowalfest.

Route and pictures HERE

Instead if carrying onto the ridge this time, once the summit was reached I headed back following the ascent route.

A winter wonderland 👍

Clach Bheinn, 643mts

Posted by explorecowal on January 20, 2015

Posted in: Walking. Tagged: bheinn, clach, Cowal, Snow, walk, walking, Winter. 5 Comments

A snowy summit…………..

Well the whole journey was a tad wintery, including a rather ‘fresh’ Easterly wind !!

Planning ahead, I’d taken my bike to speed up the lower section from Benmore Gardens to where the forestry road ended and the hill track started. This would also speed up my return journey,the thought of free wheeling the final stage back to the car made the original climb past the view point seem worth it.

Once on the snow covered hill track,it was straight up hill to the fence line,some great view over Benmore,the Holy Loch and beyond were to be had. Over the first gate,continuing north till i found the old fence line,well the uprights were the only things visible. Once on the summit of A’Cruach (482mts) things got interesting, a snow filled,wind swept landscape awaited. Some drifts could not be avoided,the first one was fun as i waded through the thigh high snow…………after twenty similar scenarios the novelty had worn off !! Next was Creachan Beag (547mts) as i followed the fence line, the surrounding hills lit up by the sun. Ground conditions varied from,grassy tussocks,fields of ice and various depths of snow (mostly 12″ +), i certainly felt the strain on this walk. Onwards to Creachan Mor that towers above Coire nan Cleireach,this is where i left the fence line and headed NW to the summit of Clach Bheinn. Planning this route beforehand I’d picked out a route,however due to the drifts it was a case of dodging what i could and heading for any sign of solid ground. After zig-zagging and contouring round the hill the summit cairn was spotted, a welcome sight indeed. View from the true summit weren’t as good as i hoped,looking north was still obscured by adjacent rocky outcrops. But exploring the high tops in the prestent conditions was a no go.

The thought of returning via the same route had me planning a different descent. A south eastern walk down the shoulder heading for the tree line followed by a steep westerly down by the trees,the snow deep but at least it was all downhill and good progress made. I’d once hiked up a section of this large clearing many years ago so i knew what to expect. Eventually emerging onto the forestry road on west Loch Eck………solid even ground….. at last !

Something was always in the back of my mind……………..my bike !!! It was still hopefully sitting up beyond the Benmore viewpoint,aaaaargh. Perhaps taking it wasnt the best idea 🙂 A trudge back up the hill to fetch it, followed by the free wheeling section i’d been looking forward to before a slow pedal back to the car.

For an interactive map with route, stats and picture locations click HERE

Map

Will upload video once I get some decent tinternet connection!!

NW Loch Eck,Trig :- Bike and Hike.

Posted by explorecowal on December 30, 2014

Posted in: Biking, forestry commission, Trig Point, Walking. Tagged: biking, Eck, loch, Trig, walking, Winter. 2 Comments

Decided to try something different,a bike followed by a hike to get to this trig point.

Parking at Glenbranter at the FCS car park, I headed off on the bike for the forestry road section. I’d found an ATV track by chance when descending from Beinn Bheag a good while back, so relocating this track for access to the hill was the next step. Remarkably I found the track, as if I was there yesterday, just as I remembered. The track too steep to cycle up, I pushed the bike the point of the washed out burn crossing then walked the remainder and onto the open hill. There’s a couple of splits in the track, two lefts and a right gets you onto the hill. The second left hand track was unknown to me as my descent on last trip came from the right, but the choice paid off.
The track took me out at the base of the hill, leaving a short and steep ascent to the trig, far easier than I thought it’d be.

Stunning views were to be had, snow covered hills and mountains all around, along with partial views over Loch Eck.
I remember seeing a mast at the top of this hill many years ago, but it had vanished and I never thought anything about it…….until I reached the summit. The control station still exists along with the dismantled mast, the internals of the station stripped out…..a good wee place to hide in extreme weather! Even if there’s no door.

After a wee wander about the tops I returned on the same route, picking up a frosty bike for the downhill return. I’m no mountain biker, mostly forestry roads but I enjoyed hanging of the back of the bike on the track section!! The forestry road hardly took a turn of the pedals to get back to the car, the quickest descent I’ve ever done!!!

Time saving and energy saving……it’s the future!!!! 😉