by meltdiceburg » Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:13 pm
Date walked: 06/06/2022
Distance: 30 km
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I arrived in Inverar to find a new clearway through the village that extends a mile each side. Despite some large wide areas where cars could park without causing locals any issues, no bays have been marked so you could be fined for parking anywhere on the road. This leaves the 6 space car park, which was full. Downstream of the village there's a layby just outside the clearway where an unofficial sign states '20 minutes waiting'. I managed to get a space maybe 1/2 mile upstream at the entrance to the forest where two or three totally off road spaces were available. I was there during the week, it must be a real problem at other times. Given there are plenty of reasonable places to park in the village, I'm surprised this has been allowed.
I took the path up the hill to be greeted by a sign outlining the 'recognised route and direction' and telling you under the countryside code you pretty much shouldn't put a foot off the path for most of the year due to deer mating, rutting, stalking. No mention of the Scottish right to roam! It also states they will close the car park to 'manage numbers' during the stalking season - given the clearway that will make parking interesting.
The path is marked by coloured posts low down but once on the hills there's nothing and it was a very peaceful and enjoyable walk. I was suffering from a strained shin so went slowly, completing the 4 munros plus An Sgorr and a couple of sub summits. I didn't want to pull the muscle again so went slowly and it hurt all the way down so it took 9 1/2 hours to do the fairly easy route which normally I'd have done many hours more quickly, but it was a clear day and I could just enjoy the views all the more. A clear path. nothing too taxing and only a couple of people seen on the walk so just what I needed in the circumstances. I'm not going to write a detailed log as there are plenty of others, just wanted to draw attention to the parking, or lack of, really. Please park to allow the maximum cars in the tiny car park!
