A quick drive over towards Aberfoyle via Callander and I was parked up at 0945, the £3 parking charge duly paid I was across the road and heading up right away. I simply love walking through forest paths and this is a beauty, steep, and dry underfoot it was an enjoyable stroll up through the trees, with fleeting glimpses back down to Loch Achray, and up ahead to my destination.
The path is well defined all the way. The weather was glorious all day, bright sunlight and clear skies, the air clarity allowing great views all around.
Soon I cleared the conifers and the ground opened up to a birch plantation and stirring views up to the summit, and Ben Venue.
It was here that I encountered the scourge of all easily accessible hills, wonderful views clearly enjoyed by moronic dipsticks who can carry food and drink up a hill but inexplicably can’t carry empty packets home with them. F&*#+rs. Once off my high horse, I quickly picked up discarded beer cans, food packets etc, and stashing them to be picked up on the way down.
The “climb” up to the summit is quite steep but is more like a staircase than anything else, helpful and welcome on the way up but I could tell it was going to be hell on the knees on the way down.
I opted for a route which swung around the back of the top and soon found myself presented with picture postcard views, particularly Loch Katrine and northwards, to the Mamores and beyond
After a little stroll around the summit it was time for lunch, a bit of Piri Piri pasta and soak up the scenery. This to me is what walking is all about, hidden gems, unexpected rewards, a relatively small hill offering staggering views in weather we mostly dream about, and apart from the forestry tracks over the other side of Loch Achray, no sign of civilisation anywhere........bliss
All to soon it was was time to head home, truthfully I could have stayed all day.
I was surprised that I didn’t see a soul on my way up, I’d thought this would have been a particularly busy hill, but soon enough encountered about half a dozen groups, strung out, on their way up.
I had a lovely chinwag with a gentleman up from Suffolk, who was having a short day in between his bigger targets during his holiday, hopefully he and the others will all have enjoyed the views as much as I did.
Soon enough I was back at my car as more groups turned up for afternoon walks. I spoke with a couple of local ladies who said they often walked this hill, and if I lived locally I would too. If you haven’t tried this hill, give it a go, little effort -maximum payback.
A few assorted phots of my day, if only my photography skills could have done the views justice.
Winds me up too when I see it left lying. Makes you feel like you are out on litter duty when you should be enjoying the walk instead 
, enjoy when you get there.
