walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

John Muir Way (section)

John Muir Way (section)


Postby Railtickethome » Wed May 05, 2021 10:16 am

Route description: Balloch to Strathblane

Date walked: 04/05/2021

Time taken: 5 hours

Distance: 17 km

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

First of all this was only deliberately part of the second section (Balloch to Strathblane) of the John Muir Way as we made the decision that 18 miles would be too long and glad we did. We had the benefit of two cars as this section is fairly exposed and with very limited if any public transport links, other than maybe where we started.

We started at Carbeth Loch and the first part of the walk meandered through the infamous Carbeth Huts which have an interesting history and demonstrate some great examples of people’s creativity. Next highlight was a stop for coffee at The St Mocha “drive thru” as the route crosses the A809. The next stage starts with a flat and pleasant stage that then continues on to and up to Edenmill Farm on what looks like a hastily prepared access road. We did not stop here but it appeared to be a coffee and farm shop with possibly other facilities. There was a slightly confusing JMW way mark here perhaps a legacy of what looks like a recent development.

The next stretch is a steady climb to Burncrooks Reservoir and on reaching that the visible so long and at points a bit up and down path round the reservoir. Once you are in the vicinity of the reservoir ‘building’ you will see a stile ladder slightly down to your right that goes over the fence - that IS NOT the route, stay on the path which bends upwards and slightly to the left. We had parked the car (responsibly) on the road that services Gartlea Farm so from here it was pretty much downhill and through de-forested and forest areas until reaching the farm and up a short hilly section that takes you on to the road that serves Balloch. We did the point where we had parked the car to Balloch (about 6.5miles) two days previous and this stretch is fairly straightforward on minor roads and through Balloch Country Park.

So summary. Glad we we did not to do the full 18 miler. It is a route of contrasts with great and different views of Ben Lomond and surrounding hills and mountains.
Attachments
5186B677-F05C-4A81-9EED-956DDFC68FE5.jpeg
Views of Ben Lomond
9E1CA2E8-FF74-4AE7-8AF8-5154494C742C.jpeg
Burncrook Reservoir
2FFA8A18-8534-49DA-B644-571331B063A6.jpeg
Possible Legacy Sign Issue
D540CB4E-4201-474C-AC9E-C06198B8C91A.jpeg
Carbeth Hut Example
Railtickethome
Walker
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Apr 1, 2017

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Broggy1, Emzo, Graeme D, norb, NullPointerEx16 and 78 guests