Ben alder approach from rannoch lodge woods

[gamemaster84]

Hi all,

I was thinking to do a multi day trip Ben alder. We can approach Ben alder from the footpath from rannoch lodge trough the woods. Because of our flying times we probably need to camp half way the Loch Ericht in the woods. But is here enough water to camp?

[jmarkb]

Should be no problem. There are plenty of streams running into the loch.

[Mal Grey]

Water shouldn't be a problem if you're near one of the small streams that run through the woods. The woods are plantations, so will be quite dense and the cleared ground bumpy/chaotic, and possibly not the nicest place to camp, so you might wish to look at camping on the edge, depending what the weather is doing as you might want shelter from the wind. However the sides of the main track in the woods do look quite open, so you may get lucky with a flat bit. Depending on the time of year, it might be quite midgy in the woods! (or elsewhere if no wind!)

If you're ahead of schedule, I'd be tempted to press on and stop by the shore of Loch Ericht I think, but if you need to stop earlier, you should be fine with a rough camp.

[gamemaster84]

And walk along side the two lochs (smeur and donnlaich) is that an option or is that very boggy?

We're going 16th of May by the way. Hopefully before the midges.....

[jmarkb]

Sorry, I think I misread your post: Mal's reply is much more useful!

And walk along side the two lochs (smeur and donnlaich) is that an option or is that very boggy?

I think that would be very rough and boggy.

[jmarkb]

We're going 16th of May by the way.

It will still be light until after 10pm and you will be on a good track, so carrying on to the loch is a maybe the best option.

[Robinho08]

An excellent track takes you within 3km of Ben Alder cottage bothy. Gets very boggy from then on. We spotted some places to camp on the way next to Loch Ericht, if possible try and push on to the bothy, plenty water there and places to camp if the bothy isn't your thing.

Otherwise have a look at 1:25k map for streams.

[gamemaster84]

Does anyone know where we can leave the car near as possible to begininng of the track? Was thinking railway station but then it's still approx 6 miles Tot the track. Then pushing trough to the bothy is a bit too much I think

[malky_c]

Check Google Streetview but I think we've left a car at the start of the track before - lots of room I seem to remember.

[Robinho08]

Does anyone know where we can leave the car near as possible to begininng of the track? Was thinking railway station but then it's still approx 6 miles Tot the track. Then pushing trough to the bothy is a bit too much I think

I left my car at the start of the track near Rannoch Lodge for two days. No issues, it's a wide opening and space for 2-3 cars no bother.

[flipside]

I walked these from Ben Alder Cottage, cracking wee bothy and good access to these munros. I took the train to Corrour and went over Carn Dearg and Sgor Gaibhre, I managed to cover 8 munro's in that region over three days walking and camping\bothy

[Somerled87]

And walk along side the two lochs (smeur and donnlaich) is that an option or is that very boggy?

We're going 16th of May by the way. Hopefully before the midges.....

I was up camping in that area last year, in the last weekend of May and there were no midges. Have a good one.

[gamemaster84]

Thanks all for the tips! Much appreciated

[tomwhitaker]

I’m considering doing this route with a friend, having watched a YouTube video which suggests cycling the majority of the route.

I’m interested in the condition of the path. Would it be suitable for a road bike/Brompton, or would mountain bikes be essential?

The idea with the bikes is to make the route to the foot of Ben Alder faster. We don’t mind if there are sections where we would have to get off and push the bikes, as long as we wouldn’t be doing that more often than we would be riding. What do you think?

[WalkWithWallace]

It's possibly my vid you watched? I reckon you'd be fine with a Brompton up until the track ends.