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With the combination of a European Time Directive enforced day off
and some fine weather predicted it was time to get up another hill. I was nudged in the direction of Beinn Bhuidhe by Gagfax who had it on his 'to do' list.
We started off from the carpark (signposted from the A83) and headed up the road through the Fine Ales brewery. And we walked, and walked, and walked some more!
We were joined by some noisy cows on their way to get fed. There was no way they were moving for us so we took the cowards' way out and leapt over the nearest fence!
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- They're not pleased!
After about an hour you reach a gate with a sign asking cyclists to dismount and there's a rail nearby to chain up your bikes.
After passing through another gate you have the choice to go left up the gorge route (the most direct route) or walk on for 5 minutes ascend grassy slopes. We took option number one and I'm glad we did because it was fantastic. There is a well defined path and it takes you on a real adventure. There are beautiful waterfalls to enjoy and sparkling pools to tempt you. (It was a warm sticky day!).
The path is very scrambly for short sections but easily climbed as long as you're happy to spend time finding hand and foot holds. There is a brief respite and then its more of the same as you climb straight up the gorge- fantastic! Sorry no pics- I was too busy concentrating!
As the climb evens out there is a fairly muddy section for a few metres but once past that you reach a fairly big cairn. From here a very distinct path takes you along the ridge to the summit (about 15 min). With the weather being so good the views all the way up were fantastic but nothing compared to those at the summit. What a treat
You could see for miles. 360 degrees of perfection!!!!
My camera is very basic so my photos don't show how marvellous it was.
After a spot of lunch, another quick look about and obligatory 'Here's me at the summit photo' and we were off.
We took the recommended grassy descent and I must say I didn't enjoy it very much. It was safer than the ascent route and a lot faster. A couple who had left the summit about 20 minutes before us took this way down and they were still on the scrambly path by the time we reached the main tarmac path again.
And so the long walk back to the car started. I really didnt mind it. The weather was still fab and it was good to stretch out the leg muscles before the journey home. As I said in the title, this hill had a fair bit of everything I wanted from a walk. After the disappointment of seeing nothing from Ben Chonzie the previous Wednesday, I was absolutely chuffed! That being said, Gagfax, who has 98 munros under his belt and therefore wider frame of reference, didn't really rate it as highly as many of the others but I hope he enjoyed the day out nonetheless.
