Ben Vrackie at the backie Pitlochry

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Our plans to add to our Munro tally over the summer holidays didn't come to fruition due to family and work commitments. Instead we had to settle for a few half-day 'leg stretchers' on smaller hills. This outing was the best of these trips.

Sending a bit of time in Pitlochry this year, I'd had my eye on Ben Vrackie for a while. It's hard to miss it looming handsomely over the town. So I knocked off early one lunchtime and Francis and I headed up the M90/A9 to finally tackle it. We headed up through Moulin and up to the second, higher car park. Quickly booting up, we were soon heading up the leafy forest path which makes up the first part of this approach.

Into the woods.

I'd been up this stretch before and was lucky enough to see a red squirrel. No such luck this time. But it's still a very pleasant path and an easy way to cover 100m of ascent.

Squirreless.

The path soon spilled us out of the trees and onto the open moorland which makes up the next section - Ben Vrackie now a clear and enticing target ahead. The trail is well worn and little rutted in sections but makes for pretty easy going.

Out of the Woods.

Moving up across the moor, the views behind began to open up and encouraged a wee snack stop at the well-placed benches. We could see Pitlochry and beyond, all the way down the river valley to Birnam Hill at Dunkeld.

You wait ages for a bench.. then two come along at once!

We'd had the path pretty much to ourselves up till now so we were curious to see two figures - and two dogs - descending towards us. Even more curious when one of them called out: 'I don't believe it!'

Turns out it was my sister-in-law Tania and her pal Hannah - who we'd also met on our misty traverse of the Tarmachan ridge. There was much laughter at the coincidence and a bit of a catch-up before we went our seperate ways. I love it when this happens. Makes the hills feel like a village!

Up through the blooming heather. Or is it wild mountain thyme.

When we got going again it was no time before we were passing below the rocky outcrop of Creag Bhreac and curving round the flank of Stac an Feidh to reveal the picturesque Loch a Choire nestling at the foot of the Ben.

Passing Loch a Choire to begin the final 'staircase' section.

The final stage of the ascent was via a very well made stepped path - or the 'stone staircase' as Francis dubbed it. This rises pretty directly up the flank of the Ben before a final hook round to the left to reach the summit.

The stepped path starts pretty easy...

Well made path or not, it was still a 300m climb to the top so we took it at a gentle pace - which made it easier to enjoy the views appearing westwards toward Loch Rannoch and Schiehallion.

... but gets steeper near the top!

After a brief steeper section we were relieved to make the left turn and find the path levelling as it headed for the summit.

The end in sight.

The views from the top were impressive and we loitered for a while taking them in. Picking out old friends like Schiehallion and eyeing up future prospects like Beinn a'Ghlo.

Looking West from the summit.

Francis with Pitlochry behind and the route we'd taken.

Looking North toward Beinn a' Ghlo.

Looking East over the lumps of Creag Tharsuinn and Carn Geal.

Finally quitting thesummit, we wandered over to Craig Tharsuinn for a bit before retracing our steps and heading back down towards Loch A Choire.

Looking back toward the summit from the cairn on Creag Tharsuinn.

At this point the view was dangerously distracting and I had to remind myself to keep at least one eye on my footing as we picked our way down the steep section!

Heading down. Last chance to enjoy that view.

All in all a cracking few hours. A variety of terrain, enough to stretch the legs and get the blood pumping but easily accessible and with good paths. And the views are the cherry on the top.

We rounded the afternoon off with a couple of fish suppers from McKays which we ate down by the dam. Can easily see this becoming a regular outing!