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Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:45 pm
by pollyh33
With the combination of a European Time Directive enforced day off :D 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!

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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.
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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!).

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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 :D

You could see for miles. 360 degrees of perfection!!!!

My camera is very basic so my photos don't show how marvellous it was.
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After a spot of lunch, another quick look about and obligatory 'Here's me at the summit photo' and we were off.
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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. :D

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:54 pm
by kevsbald
A good one to get ticked off, P. I did it with a bloke in Winter and ended up having to 'walk him' back to the car as he missed out on breakfast - took us 8 hours. Not so memorable for the right reasons. Well done!

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:00 pm
by pollyh33
Cheers Kev! I was starving as well when I finished. I can recommend the cafe/bistro typey thing that is housed in the Visitor Centre at Luss- a very pleasant surprise! A vat of parsnip soup took me about 20 minutes to eat and it was delicious :D

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:06 pm
by rockhopper
A definite plus when you get good weather :D Went the same route as you (but cycled up to the gate) and would agree with your comments - although bad weather setting in meant that I couldn't see anything at the top (so what's new you ask :shock: ). I can now see what I missed :D

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:11 pm
by gagfax
It was a good summit but that road goes on forever and ever and ever....
Feel daft now about the cows :?

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:14 pm
by Graeme D
pollyh33 wrote:With the combination of a European Time Directive enforced day off and some fine weather predicted it was time to get up another hill.


Gawd, don't you just hate it when that happens! Vive l'Europe! :lol: A nice report on one that I still have to do. I'm waiting on my mate Robin to get off his backside and do something about it as it's one of the few he hasn't done (at least within a 2 day radius of Perth!)

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:31 pm
by pollyh33
rockhopper wrote:A definite plus when you get good weather :D Went the same route as you (but cycled up to the gate) and would agree with your comments - although bad weather setting in meant that I couldn't see anything at the top (so what's new you ask :shock: ). I can now see what I missed :D


Thanks Rockhopper. You're quite right to take a bike, there were a few left at the fence- very tempting :shock:

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:34 pm
by pollyh33
gagfax wrote:It was a good summit but that road goes on forever and ever and ever....
Feel daft now about the cows :?


Oh I don't know about being daft about the cows, they did sound a bit **** off with us :lol:

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:40 pm
by pollyh33
Graeme Dewar wrote:
pollyh33 wrote:With the combination of a European Time Directive enforced day off and some fine weather predicted it was time to get up another hill.


Gawd, don't you just hate it when that happens! Vive l'Europe! :lol: A nice report on one that I still have to do. I'm waiting on my mate Robin to get off his backside and do something about it as it's one of the few he hasn't done (at least within a 2 day radius of Perth!)


A sneaky day off during the week is always good :D Hope you get round to this one and get some fine weather!

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:10 am
by icemandan
Bikes certainly took the slog out of this one for us - it was unexpected to find a cycle rack provided at the gate. Have to be careful not to spook the cows though. Enjoyed the walk up past the waterfalls although not so inviting for a swim on a grey snowy day in March.

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:44 am
by pollyh33
icemandan wrote:Bikes certainly took the slog out of this one for us - it was unexpected to find a cycle rack provided at the gate. Have to be careful not to spook the cows though. Enjoyed the walk up past the waterfalls although not so inviting for a swim on a grey snowy day in March.


Oh yes, bikes and cattle prod would definitely improve this route :D

A zip-slide down those endless grassy slopes would be pretty good as well!!! :lol:

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:36 am
by malky_c
Looks like a worthwhile hill. Being quite isolated from the surrounding higher hills means you get pretty good views by the looks of it. I think most people are a bit down on it as it is slightly out of the way and only gives a single Munro.

Mind you, it was one of my worst days out ever, with a constant downpour and the cloud at about 400m the whole day. I took a shorter route to the summit via the gravel pit across the glen from your way and a forestry track. Unfortunately I hadn't checked the map, and wandered off back down the 'normal' route. While you have shown that it is a nice way up, the extra hour spent getting back to the car in the never-ending rain wasn't appreciated! :lol:

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:44 am
by pollyh33
Thanks Malky,

mmmm, sounds like a pretty grim day! :(

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:25 pm
by gammy leg walker
Another fine report "polly",dont see too much wrong with your pictures.I still have this one on my radar for some time this year,and will also be walking as do not have a bike,looks like a fine wee hill.
You are fairly racking up your munro count this weather,need to watch my back :lol: :lol:

Re: Beinn Bhuide -something for everyone

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:44 pm
by pollyh33
gammy leg walker wrote:Another fine report "polly",dont see too much wrong with your pictures.I still have this one on my radar for some time this year,and will also be walking as do not have a bike,looks like a fine wee hill.
You are fairly racking up your munro count this weather,need to watch my back :lol: :lol:



Thanks GLW!

You're the very man to help me....with my renewed interest in hillwalking quite evident to the rest of the family, my daughter (21) has asked if she can come with me next time. She's quite fit but I don't want to take on anything too big but at the same time don't want to climb one I've done before. So I was thinking of Beinn a Chleibh??? Any thoughts?