Ben Hope, a brilliant half day and into my top five faves

[Sspaterson]

Since we were up here, hubby suggested I do this one alone whilst he went for a cycle, having done it before.

Stayed the night at the Tongue campsite, great views and facilities.

Interesting drive to start point with grass growing up middle of road - made me kinda nostalgic for my holidays of my youth when my Dad towed the caravan along such highways.

The road to the hill

Anyway, I set off at 1015, with an easy plod beside a delightful burn. The path is quite worn in parts and must be hellish muddy in normal wet conditions.

Looking down the glen

Levels out after a bit and is easy going underfoot.

Upwards

I was feeling good so never really stopped except to put jacket on against a brief shower and a chilly wind.

Mair nice views

After another steeper climb it was an easy plod to the top following giant cairns to the trig point and took shelter against the wind to admire the astounding views. Don’t ever be tempted to do this in the clag, you’d be missing out on moonscape vistas and views of the sea to the north.

Even mair views

Glorious views

Another view

There was a wee plaque with no doubt a sad story behind it. If anyone can shed any light?????

The plaque

After a flapjack and some oatcakes (ever thankful that Aldi sell their cheesy mini oatcakes in smaller packages now), I headed down at a good pace at first, then more carefully on the steep bits. Can’t take chances with my dodgy everything. Realised how much of a tailwind on the way up when I faced right into it on the way back.

Path back down in headwind

Looking back where I’d been

Nice pools on way down though some are not accessible. One even looked like it had a seating shelf around it.

The inaccessible pool

Another pool

Could see hubby back at the van and waved frantically but he didn’t see me, thinking I wasn’t down that far yet.

But back to a whistling kettle and a spot of lunch feeling chuffed to have gotten to summit in under 2 hours and back in under 4.