Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:56 pmThis hill would require good navigational skills in bad weather or poor visibility and is actually the least attractive part of the route described.
The walk can be shortened by cycling up the road to "Gilbert Bridge"
The forecast was very good (no rain) but the promised morning mist greeted us as we reached the car park at ""Old Bridge of Tilt (GR: 874663).
I left the car park, accompanied by Dek, Pat, Ann and Bella (the cross collie) and crossed up through the gates identified with "Forest Lodge", which is the main route up Glen Tilt. After just over 30mins.we reached the River Tilt and the first of the four bridges on the route.
The views from here, up and down the river, were dramatic given that the morning mist was just beginning to lift and the sun was making a valiant effort to break through
Continuing on the road, we were treated to some quite dramatic views of the river Tilt and one small, but impressive, waterfall on the right hand side after about 0.5 kilometre.
We reached the second bridge (Gilberts Bridge)on just about the hour mark.
Crossing the bridge, we continued for about 50 metres, until reaching a gate at the start of the forestry road, which was locked.
We thought we were scuppered, until we noticed the strangely shaped "diamond " gate just to the left.
This is where you would have to leave bikes, if used, as it looks sort of impossible to get them through the gate.
Heading NW on the track for 1.5 kilometres we reached the third bridge which crosses the Allt Mhairc. The views under this bridge are fantastic with quite a big drop on the lower side.
Just after the bridge the path splits, we took the left hand branch and crossed the open hillside following the Allt Mhairc for a further 30 mins until we reached the fourth, and probably the most impressive, bridge (Not THE Forth Bridge)
This is where the pleasant walk stops and the hard work begins. After crossing the bridge and following the path for about 20 mins. the path disappeared and we were left to trudge, through knee deep heather, for about an hour.
Higher up the hill we re-discovered the path then came across a large cairn, accompanied by a decent sized howf, which we bookmarked for stopping for lunch on the way down.
After about 3hrs and 45 mins., in total, we finally reached the summit cairn.
The views were good, giving good visibity, over Beinn a' Ghlo, Ben Vrackie and numerous other recognisable tops.
The return route was the reverse of the ascent, although it was easier to find a path, of sorts, on the way down the hill.
With failing light, the walk back to the car from Gilberts Bridge seemed eternal but we eventually reached the car 6hrs and 10 mins after leaving.
[attachment=2]Route.jpg[/attachment
The walk can be shortened by cycling up the road to "Gilbert Bridge"
The forecast was very good (no rain) but the promised morning mist greeted us as we reached the car park at ""Old Bridge of Tilt (GR: 874663).
I left the car park, accompanied by Dek, Pat, Ann and Bella (the cross collie) and crossed up through the gates identified with "Forest Lodge", which is the main route up Glen Tilt. After just over 30mins.we reached the River Tilt and the first of the four bridges on the route.
The views from here, up and down the river, were dramatic given that the morning mist was just beginning to lift and the sun was making a valiant effort to break through
- River Tilt from the first of the four bridges.
Continuing on the road, we were treated to some quite dramatic views of the river Tilt and one small, but impressive, waterfall on the right hand side after about 0.5 kilometre.
- Small waterfall
We reached the second bridge (Gilberts Bridge)on just about the hour mark.
- Gilberts Bridge
Crossing the bridge, we continued for about 50 metres, until reaching a gate at the start of the forestry road, which was locked.
We thought we were scuppered, until we noticed the strangely shaped "diamond " gate just to the left.
This is where you would have to leave bikes, if used, as it looks sort of impossible to get them through the gate.
- The "Diamond" Gate.
Heading NW on the track for 1.5 kilometres we reached the third bridge which crosses the Allt Mhairc. The views under this bridge are fantastic with quite a big drop on the lower side.
- Under the bridge.
- The "Third Bridge" over the Allt Mhairc
Just after the bridge the path splits, we took the left hand branch and crossed the open hillside following the Allt Mhairc for a further 30 mins until we reached the fourth, and probably the most impressive, bridge (Not THE Forth Bridge)
- Dek and Bella on the path up Glen Mhairc with Beinn Mheadhonach in the distance.
- The path down to Allt Mhairc
- The "Fourth Bridge"
This is where the pleasant walk stops and the hard work begins. After crossing the bridge and following the path for about 20 mins. the path disappeared and we were left to trudge, through knee deep heather, for about an hour.
Higher up the hill we re-discovered the path then came across a large cairn, accompanied by a decent sized howf, which we bookmarked for stopping for lunch on the way down.
- Bookmarked for lunch.
After about 3hrs and 45 mins., in total, we finally reached the summit cairn.
The views were good, giving good visibity, over Beinn a' Ghlo, Ben Vrackie and numerous other recognisable tops.
The return route was the reverse of the ascent, although it was easier to find a path, of sorts, on the way down the hill.
With failing light, the walk back to the car from Gilberts Bridge seemed eternal but we eventually reached the car 6hrs and 10 mins after leaving.
[attachment=2]Route.jpg[/attachment
Is that specifically designed to stop hairy bikers