Canter up Kerloch

[superstar_tradesman]

I'd had my eye on Kerloch for a long time. So the fine weather forecast, and a forlorn hope that I might meet my Strava April challenge of clocking up 1750m climb during my month's runs, drew me north, for a lovely sunny, snowy run.

The journey there wasn't without incident though. I'd been surprised at the amount of snow on the Sidlaws behind Dundee. And then, when I turned off the A90 at Northwaterbridge to be confronted by a sign saying the Cairn o'Mount snow gates were closed, I had to change plans and head over the Slug road instead, with all its cyclists. I knew I wanted to take the back road from the Slug Road round towards Strachan, but hadn't bothered to check my map to confirm where the junction was. So I turned off at the first sharp bend onto a minor road, up a hill through some thick forest…and then found myself at the Durris TV transmitter

Back on track, somewhat embarrassed, and I was soon at the nice car park north of Kerloch, beside the Knockburn sporting loch centre, with its zorbing and model aeroplane fliers.

The track south towards Kerloch

I was soon on my way south along a very good track, which gradually climbed into the forest, then past the old shack that looks like it's been transported from 1870s Montana. I left the track to join the path that climbed more steeply through the trees, and as the tree cover thickened, the snow deepened, as no sunlight had made it through to melt it. I was glad I was wearing studs—the snow was soft, but slippy.

I'd hoped the forest might be some of that lovely open Deeside pinewood, but nope, it was that dense intimidating Forestry Commission sitka spruce. But soon I was out into the open, where the sun had melted most of the snow. That left the track resembling a dry river bed, so trying to run on it was like running on awkward shaped ball bearings. Not recommended…

The Kerloch path…who's got a steamroller?

At one point, further up, snow melt had turned the path into a raging burn. But, after branching off the main path to a smaller one, I was soon at the top, to be met by the wonderful panorama I'd hoped it would be. Snowy Mount Battock, Clachnaben and Morven to the west, green Hill of Fare and Bennachie to the north, Aberdeen and the coast to the east…and a bunch of windmills to the south.

West to the snowy hills

North to green hills

A quick rest, and I headed back down the hill the way I came up, taking extra care not to wreck my ankles on the first part of the path. I was soon back at the car, eating lunch and pondering whether I had the legs to go for Cairn-mon-earn as well…

Another view of Kerloch, from the NE