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I've not walked Clachnaben for quite a while now, MrsW and I walked in the glen a week or so ago and it reminded me. I love this little hill in the right conditions and to be honest it's not a simple wander....there's some effort involved in the ascent.
This route can be stretched to a nice 10 miles by starting from the bridge of dye via the Cairn of Finglenny and making a nice circular route back to there after taking in Clachnaben click here for a gpx route -
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10116For those unaccustomed to this place it would be easy to drive right past the 'quarry' car park in the forest about 1km north of the bridge of dye, but once you do find it there is ample parking and good signed information. It was nice to see a little colour change on the leaves as I set off toward the forest path
it's a nice walk through the trees with views just peeking through once in a while and beautiful autumn colours all around
in a very short time the forest opens out and you get your first glimpse of the target sitting high above the glen
once out of the trees the track has seen better days, but it is firm and good going even with a lot of water on it, it remains mud free - there is a sign here about keeping dog's on a lead (for those with dog's)
it is a perfect day as I amble along enjoying the tranquillity of the surroundings
after crossing this small bridge take the right hand fork in the track toward that big rocky lump on the hill
again it is a good firm track even after a prolonged wet spell and the colours of the day keep me smiling
there are 3 small river crossings but each has its own little bridge adding to the ease of the day
at the last of the three bridges the view of the hill is blocked by the small wood ahead
on arrival at the wood there is a small cairn with an information board on top and the choice of routes, the path to the left skirts the woodland and is a more gentle ascent, the path to the right is a steep killer climb followed by a loss of almost all the ascent you just made....sickening, it ultimately joins the other path skirting the wood....I've done both and today I'm 'skirting'
the woodland provides a pleasant dappled shade and adds to the easy mood of the day
the beautiful colour continues and I'm so glad to be out here today
little colour remains in the heather now but sporadic spots of purple are still visible on occasion
the track this way has had some significant work since I last came this way and is much improved with very little of the previous bog that plagued this route
breaking away from the forest now the pathway twists and turns up toward Clachnaben, sitting centre frame on the path is someone taking a breather which gives scale to the scene (if you can see him)
further work has been done along here with drains dug and a good dry path though it has large lumps of granite randomly dropped along it (maybe to discourage MTB's?) ahead now I see three people on the rise of the hill
after rising fairly gently and turning the corner I stop to look back at Mt Shade, the small wood we skirted around is on the right hand side of the shot
a zoomed shot of the rocks ahead reveal a couple of climbers attacking the face using ropes (bottom of rock L/H side)
2 of the three guys in front stop for a rest and I push past (though I know how they feel, its a tough little pull up this section) looking back from close to the top
it's a bit easier to see the climbers now, well one of them at least
once around the back of the rocks there is a much easier way up
because I'm on a walk up I get up there in time to see the first climber appear
I wonder if he thinks I'm a bit strange running about on the rock he's tied too
the views from here are great with Mt Battock away in the distance (though I'm told the walk to Mt Battock from here is a boggy mess)
you can even see the sea from here.....if you look real hard
a view of the route back down from the top
I descend and walk around the rocks to meet the same path I ascended on
less of a path here but it is very sheltered round here, great place to stop for a cupp (yes the flask is back out now.....it's cold in them thar hills)
going down is certainly a lot faster than going up
from here there is a faint trail that runs around the other side of the wood ahead
I branch off and take that trail for a change of scenery, with just a glance back to the lump before heading down
the trail starts well but soon becomes very boggy, though given the rain we have had it is still walkable without getting wet feet
as I round the corner of the wood I get a great view back down to the glen below
and......if there's a bench provided at the bottom it would be rude not to make use of it for a quick cuppa... cheers
the view from here is great and I spent quite a while just sitting and watching the sheep go by
once moving again I couldn't resist a few more shots of this idyllic location
its a gentle pull back up to the forest and a last look back at beautiful Clachnaben standing proud above the glen
it's a short steep ascent back to the top of the forest path before a nice long gentle ascent to the car park
This hill doesn't warrant any status in terms of 'lists' but on a day like today it is a fantastic wander and that final pull to the summit is a challenge for anyone (even if we don't want to admit it
) I think I won't be leaving it so long before the next time, if you find yourself out this way, I recommend you give this little un a go
