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Please note: I know this walk was completed over three years ago but I am only just getting round to writing the walk report!Three days after Ben Wyvis I had another day off my work and picked out Ben Chonzie to be next on my list. Nice, easy, simple, Ben Chonzie. Well, to a certain extent that was true.
As usual, the night before I got all my prep done: Plotted my GPS co-ordinates and keyed them into my e-Trex, packed up my bag, emptied my bag, packed up my bag again including things I had forgot first time round. Sandwiches were made and put in the fridge, Aluminium bottles filled with water and put in the fridge, etc, etc, etc, etc. My wife swears I have OCD!
So, next morning I set off around 8am, after obligatory porridge. Overcast was the forecast so probably no views to be had from the summit, oh well you can't have it all.
![02 Information(!) board at start of walk.JPG]()
- Helpful Information Board!
Arrived at the car park and had a giggle at the very helpful Information Board, there was a single Berghaus glove left within the frame. I wonder if it ever found its mate?
So, off I went, following the signposted path, bypassing the farm at Coishavachan and then crossing the Invergeldie Burn. Further up, the burn is recrossed just below a small dam.
![04 The stony trail up Ben Chonzie.JPG]()
- The stony track up Ben Chonzie
You then follow a stony track which was quite rough in places causing sore feet and numerous colourful curse words. Follow this track almost to the end then head off into the grass, heading for a line of fence posts. Continue NW the NE alongside the fence posts passing Grouse butts (shooting butts, not actual bird butts!) on your left and this will take you all the way to the top. At this point I was absolutely freezing due to a very cold wind and was delighted to find a stone enclosure where I could rest up and wolf down my sandwiches.
![07 Cold at Ben Chonzie's summit cairn.JPG]()
- Stone enclosure was most welcome!
I had a very brief moment where the mist opened and I could see the Loch Lednock reservoir.
After a very quick lunch I made for my descent, returning by the same route up. I passed some old fenceposts which would probably fetch a few bob at the Tate Gallery!
![09 Modern Art near top of Ben Chonzie.JPG]()
- Modern art?
On the way back down, along that bugger of a stony track the weather got very humid and i was suddenly swarmed by wee black flying beasties with dangly legs. I remember at the time I done this walk there was a thread on here about these disgusting creatures with much debate as to what they are called. I came out with numerous names for them while they swarmed me, constantly whacking into my face. Mocking me as they outnumbered me by a million to one.
![12 Damned heather fly!.JPG]()
- Grrrrrr, I HATE these wee beasties!
My mood was lifted as I neared the end of the walk though and was greeted with this colourful view of the banks of the Invergeldie Burn.
Well, I might not have got good views from the summit, got extremely cold, and got attacked by a swarm of dangly legged beasties but overall it was still an enjoyable day out. I might return one day in better weather to see what the views were like but if I see just one of those wee b******* I think I will turn back!
