Participants - Neil and Ben
Where - Craig of Monievreckie, 400m/1,312', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 57 NN 547020
I'm trying to ease my way back into hillwalking gradually after my operation. The Knock of Crieff was a good re-introduction, Blaeloch Hill was a bit longer but still gentle. It was time to try something just a little bit steeper and rougher. I actually hadn't expected to be out again so soon but the weather was defying the forecast and the sun was splitting the sky. And anyway, Ben needed a good walk! I'd climbed Craig of Monievreckie a couple of times previously, it's a good mix of forest walk and rough moorland, although a good path has now formed between the forest and the summit. The best view of the hill is from the approach to Aberfoyle on the Strathblane road....
I parked in the Braeval car park from where the track wound steeply up through the trees. We were following the red route. I started slowly, Ben shot off like a bullet out of a gun; he runs off at top speed for a short distance and then returns. After a bit, he settles down and sticks closer to me. After about a mile, we came to the path that led on to the hill; it started just before the track took a sharp bend to the left. Shortly after we reached a fence with a walker friendly gate and got a first view of the hill.....
I think that this must be a popular local walk, the path is now much more defined than I remember it being previously. This is looking to Ben Lomond and Ben Venue from part way up.....
The path went over a subsidiary top, down into a wee gorge and then up the main top. Here we are approaching the trig.....spot Ben!.....
It was warm for the time of year and there was no wind, a very pleasant day for lounging about on the top. Two other walkers arrived from the east side of the hill, they had followed one of the other forest tracks before cutting up through the trees. Unfortunately there was a bit of a haze so it wasn't the best day for photography but here is what I took anyway.
Ben at the trig.....
Ben Lomond (zoomed).....
Ben Venue.....
Ben Ledi....
Lake of Menteith.....
We returned by the same route, a pleasant two and something hour walk. Ben enjoyed his day as well.....
1 comment:
Looks a nice hill Neil. The weather during the past two weeks has been fantastic for outings. No rain in Glasgow for two weeks no rain in Edinburgh for three!
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