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After four months stuck in Edinburgh, I fancied a couple of nights away with a nice walk that's not-too-long and not-too-hilly. This looked to fit the bill.
The weather forecast was a bit iffy, cool for late April with potential showers. I had a leisurely hotel breakfast and headed out at about 10.30am round the head of the loch and up the start of the track.
- The head of Loch Long
- Heading into the glen beneath the pylons
The path climbs steadily but fairly gently. I was glad I'd brought my walking poles, though, and that I'd gone for full hiking boots rather than trail shoes.
- Looking back down the glen as the path climbs
- The path climbs ahead
Soon enough the highest point is reached - well, the highest point on this stretch anyway.
- The view back from the high point
- The view ahead from the high point
The path then skirts the edge of some forestry before following a fire break. I know a lot of people don't enjoy stretches like this, preferring open views, but I really like forest walking. The quiet, the aromas, the scuttling wildlife. This was a lovely stretch.
- Fire break in the forest
Emerging from the forest, I became aware of the sound of machinery. SSE workers were doing some consstruction, and it soon became clear it was right on the path. They were very helpful, and actually created a walkway for me across the digging work.
- SSE work underway
- They created a path for me
The track is now in much more open countryside, and you can sense the height. You can see ahead to Loch Sloy Dam, and back to pointy Ben Lomond - capped with cloud at this point.
- Loch Sloy Dam
- Ben Lomond and signage for the walk
The track climbs, quite steeply at some points, and you are quickly looking some distance back down to where you were walking earlier
- Look how far down it is to the SSE work now
Soon after the high point of the walk is reached, and then the descent starts. At this point you leave the track and cross a ford over a burn below a dam.
- Fording the burn
From there, it's forestry track, sometimes enclosed, and sometimes with great views of Ben Lomond.
- View to Ben Lomond
- Ben Lomond from the forestry track
Then suddenly there is a glimpse of Loch Long in the distance through the trees. This moment was nothing short of magical. A gorgeous view, and a reminder of how far I'd walked, and how high I'd climbed.
- View down to Loch Long
- Loch Long appearing ahead
The track descends gradually and then there is a switchback. At this point I thought I was getting near the end, and it was a surprise when there was a glimpse of Arrochar village through the trees - still way below.
- Arrochar. Long Long Hotel on the far left, and the Ben Arthur Bothy pub on the far right.
The track eventually crosses farmland and emerges at the edge of Succoth. At this point the walk directions are to turn left and take a path towards the Arrochar car park. I spotted a sign warning that the path was closed due to construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Loin Water, but the sign said the work should be complete on 21st March - over a month before my walk. Of course, I didn't discover that it was impassable until I'd walked the path all the way to the burn. To be honest, if you are a bit more nimble than I am, or if there are two of you to help each other, you could probably ford the burn using rocks that are there. I wasn't confident enough and didn't want to land in the mud this close to the end, so doubled back to Succoth and round by the road. There is a path that runs through the edge of the car park, so you're not stuck with the pavement on the busy A83.
- View back down Loch Long
- View back down Loch Long
I carried on past my hotel and straight to the Ben Arthur Bothy. Bear in mind at this point pubs in Scotland had been shut since last October. This was only the second day they were open, and even then, alcohol can only be served outdoors. The Ben Arthur Bothy had erected an open-sided marquee at the lochside which made for a great end to the walk.
- Pint at the end of the walk
In summary, this was a fantastic walk, and highly recommended. Apart from the SSE workers, I only saw seven other people - five hikers and two mountain-bikers - all day. The weather turned out very kind as well, considering what the forecast had been - my waterproof stayed tied round my waist.
Considering how crazily busy some beauty spots are at the moment, this one is obviously a well-kept secret. It's right on a main bus route, has a train station about a mile from the start, is accessible from the central belt as a day trip, and has a choice of accommodation and watering holes at the start and finish.
Finally, here's the Strava statistics.