Benarty Hill - a wee jewel in the Sub2Kingdom

[Graeme D]

The weather hadn't looked too promising this morning but the forecast was for it to brighten up by early afternoon. I had chucked some gear in the car before heading to work in the hope that I might again get a cheeky wee hill in that afternoon, with my normal Friday afternoon classes being on study leave. It's only a small window of opportunity so let's make the most of it. I decided to go for Benarty Hill, another Sub2K hill which would take my tally to 8 of them this year alone - the Year of the Sub2K right enough!

I left Perth at 1.15 and headed south down the M90. As I sped past Milnathort and Kinross, Bishop Hill was bathed in bright sunlight with fluffy white clouds scudding across the sky high above, but a short distance further south, Benarty Hill looked distinctly shrouded in grey as rain began to smear the windscreen. However, I was fairly confident that given the fairly stiff breeze, this would soon blow over.

I left the motorway at the Vane Farm exit, taking a left then a sharp right onto the Cowdenbeath road. After a couple of kilometres, a minor road on the left is signposted for Ballingry (Balin Garry as Archie McPherson once memorably referred to it - Bal-ing-erry as it's more often known in common parlance) and Loch Ore, leading after another few kilometres to the parking lay-by at the foot of the wooden steps up through the woods.

From here this was one of the quickest up and downs of a hill I've ever done, being back at the car a couple of minutes before an hour had elapsed. It was also one of the more interesting Sub2K hills I've done, with brilliant views across Fife and into Perthshire and across the Forth to Edinburgh and the Lothians.

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The start

Wooden steps for the first section

Evidence of recent ned or jakie activity

Loch Ore and the "Meedies" with Mossmorran in the background

Path through the trees

End of the forestry section

Onto the high heather moorland

Summit in the distance

Distant Bishop Hill

Loch Ore

Towards the Ochils

Bishop Hill from the trig point

Loch Leven

Enjoying the vista

Bishop Hill across Loch Leven

Trig point with a head

Cardenden through the trees

Bluebells

Best profile of Benarty Hill from the B996 road

[rockhopper]

a nice wee wander gareme - good to see you're giving the missus a break and carrying your own pack although she's still left with the hard work at home

[jimandandrea]

Good report and enjoyed seeing blue skies but not the same without the star of the show

[ChrisW]

What cracking views for such a short walk, brilliant

[Johnny Corbett]

It's allways good to see walk reports on the little uns as they're handy for half day trips and short walks and you allways get great views from them

[Paul Webster]

Jealous. I did that hill under snow and got some great pics from the summit. However I didn't find those steps - went on a track from nearly the same point - and then over what must have been deep heather covered in deep soft snow which was hard going. Was intended to be a WH route but couldn't really put it on as couldn't find the correct line in those conditions. Your report makes me think I should go back

[Redrock]

A great report on my favourite local wee hill, Graeme! There's such a varied landscape on the top and you really feel "up there" despite it's not being particularly high. It's ideal for a warm up walk after a break or an evening walk in the summer. There's even a bit of a ridge walk to the west if you have a bit more time. I sometimes start the walk up from Lochore Meadows ("the Meedies") and walk up Harran Hill before crossing the road and climbing the steps. The Bluebells will be out on Harran Hill just now making it look fantastic!

[IreneM]

Great report Graeme and some smashing pics.
Hubby and I did this bonnie wee hill from Vane Farm - hadn't intended to climb anything that day as our intentions were to watch birds and have lunch in the cafe.
Well......that's my excuse for being at the trigpoint wearing trainers......and should I admit this?........ carrying a HANDBAG!

[Graeme D]

Great report Graeme and some smashing pics.
Hubby and I did this bonnie wee hill from Vane Farm - hadn't intended to climb anything that day as our intentions were to watch birds and have lunch in the cafe.
Well......that's my excuse for being at the trigpoint wearing trainers......and should I admit this?........ carrying a HANDBAG!

Cheers Irene - I've seen a few strange things on summits but never that!

A great report on my favourite local wee hill, Graeme! There's such a varied landscape on the top and you really feel "up there" despite it's not being particularly high. It's ideal for a warm up walk after a break or an evening walk in the summer. There's even a bit of a ridge walk to the west if you have a bit more time. I sometimes start the walk up from Lochore Meadows ("the Meedies") and walk up Harran Hill before crossing the road and climbing the steps. The Bluebells will be out on Harran Hill just now making it look fantastic!

Thanks Redrock. I grew up in Dunfermline and although I spent quite a bit of time around the Meedies, I'd never been up this hill before. I could see what you mean about there being other possible routes rather than the straight up and down route I took. I'd definitely do it again, maybe on a nice crisp winter day. Sorry Paul!

Jealous. I did that hill under snow and got some great pics from the summit. However I didn't find those steps - went on a track from nearly the same point - and then over what must have been deep heather covered in deep soft snow which was hard going. Was intended to be a WH route but couldn't really put it on as couldn't find the correct line in those conditions. Your report makes me think I should go back

I think you should Paul - it would make a great wee WH route. Quick, easy, accessible, family friendly, great character and views up top......

[brpro26]

So that's the easy way up!!!

Paul...when your checking it out for WH's nip round and go up The Bishop(oh..err so to speak) from Scotlandwell, great wee afternoon jaunt and tremendous views.

[Dunfie]

Great report and pictures. I think it will be on the list to fill a Sunday afternoon over the summer.

[KGBMC]

When I saw Benarty in the forum I had to read all the entries
Living in Kelty this great wee hill is in my view every time I look out the window
I was preparing to add further comments ,but its all been said
The views from the west end of the ridge are fantastic, I am up there every other week, summer and winter
Listen to the song " The Benarty Giant" by Gaberlunzie

[ianhams]

Great report.

I drive past these hills many times a week and have often wondered how to get up there easily so after read the report here yesterday I took the kids up today.

We had a little wonder around the minor summits whilst up there but were still back within 2 hrs. All in all a fine little walk and the kids first Marilyn.

[Bod]

A great wee sub 2000 this Graeme, chuffed to see it listed (just 10 mins from our house).....we were there again today with Cameron now 2 years and 10 months old, his first real hill. He loved it! Will get a walk report done too!