Stob a' Choin from Loch Katrine

[Cameron.Gair]

Parked at the Trossachs Pier car park at east end of Loch Katrine. £6 for 8 hours. Pay at the machine or booking office. Cycled (50 mins each way) along the private Scottish Water Road on the north side of the loch to a track just east of the Allt a' Choin. Left my bike beside an old shed near the start of the track which quickly becomes an ATV track (soft in places) and climbs through the new forest before dropping down and passing through a gate in the deer fence just before the burn. Turned right onto an ATV track beside the deer fence and followed this until it turned right uphill. Crossed rough ground and long grass to reach the Allt a' Choin and followed this up the steep hillside. Eventually crossed to a smaller stream then along the hillside and up a grassy slope to a levelling above the crags. Descended slightly to the stream again and then up through another fairly steep grassy slope avoiding crags to a further levelling and then up through a further short grassy slope to the summit. Had lunch there (weather good) before following the burn this time down to the glen which was easier. Crossed the burn and followed an ATV a short distance then long grass beside the burn. Crossed the burn again to pick up the ATV beside the deer fence and followed this back to the bike before cycling back to Trossachs pier car park. If attempting again best to stick to the main stream on the way up or possibly follow the ATV track and deer fence up onto the ridge. 6 hours total including 50 mins cycle each way. The route is described briefly on Page 51 of the old SMC guide to the Southern Highlands