A glorious day, high in hills above Lochleven.....

[wilkiemurray]

Two Corbetts by Kinlochleven

I decided on Glas Bheinn near Kinlochleven as a bike and hike day. Having previously headed along the track from the road leading to the Mamore lodge I knew that it was ok for a bike and that this would dramatically reduce the walk in and walk out time!

Video Report:

The forecast was an improving one with blues skies dominating as the day progressed and as such I also had in mind perhaps going up a second hill if the weather was looking good.

I left the car at the gate, not far off the road and a sign stated that no unauthorised vehicles were allowed past this point. The fact that it also said that the gate could be locked t any time made my mind up to leave the car here and not up at the lodge (turns out I was the only one to do this as the lodge car park was full on my return). It does mean a rather steep pull up to the Lodge but also meant a rapid descent route on the bike!!

Loch Treig Munor with Snow cap

A steep cycle got me up and past Loch Eilde Mor in around an hour. I had decided to head to the causeway at the east shore of the loch and take a direct route up the hill. This would save time (and also the boggy path!!) to perhaps enable me to fit another hill into the day. A tight schedule was required as my other half was needing me home for 19.00 hrs!! The weather was ok at this point, a bit windy and the tops of the Mamores were in clag but this soon changed. By the time I reached the summit of Glas Bheinn (after a steep pull on pathless ground) the clouds were starting to lift. There had been a late snow fall the day before and the remnants of this snow was seen on the Munros , a few days from June now so hope that it starts to warm up soon!!

Glas Bheinn Summit

It was now 11.00 and I took some pictures and video before setting off for the car. This is where the bike came into its own, and after the highpoint was reached it was a relatively quick cycle down to the car (the path is a little rough in places but ok for a mountain bike).
Back at the car I decided to head for the Corbett of Mam na Gualainn – just along the road. I had planned on heading down into Glen Etive to go up Stob Ban but the timing wasn’t right so headed for Mam na Gualainn instead. To my annoyance I saw that I could have actually headed up this hill from the Mamore Lodge on the bike and save a bit a descent and re ascent – however I only realised this on returning to the car – no point crying over spilt milk etc etc!! haha.

trees and glencoe

By the time I reached the parking spot near Callert House – the weather was glorious. Really felt like summer and the warm jacket was left in car and the t –shirt left on as I headed up the hill. Sun cream was required too – could this be the start of summer (or Spring!!) at long last?!?!?!. A slow plod got me to the summit around 15.00, however every 2 minutes I was turning to take in the views across Loch Leven to Glence and Ballachulish hills. Bidean and Beinn a ‘ Bheithir stole the show and with clear visibility the landscape looked amazing!

Mam na Galainn summit

A long pause on the summit and then headed back to the car – reaching it about 16.30.

Got home for 18.15. A great days walking in glorious weather.

looking across loch leven

P.S. Does anybody know if the Mamore Lodge car park can be used without upsetting anyone as both times I have visited recently I have left the car before the gate which equals a long pull up and a few extra metres of ascent? Would be interesting to get others thoughts on this?

Rest of Photos here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotlandsmountains/

[rockhopper]

I do like a good bike 'n hike - and what a great day for these two hills ! Enjoyed your photos and video - good choice of soundtrack too with Radical Face's "Welcome Home" - cheers

[Collaciotach]

I m no sure re parking, but I d worry that I come back off the hill and the gate is locked as the sign threatens

Still to do these , good report

[wilkiemurray]

I m no sure re parking, but I d worry that I come back off the hill and the gate is locked as the sign threatens

me too!!

Still to do these , good report

Thanks

[wilkiemurray]

I do like a good bike 'n hike - and what a great day for these two hills ! Enjoyed your photos and video - good choice of soundtrack too with Radical Face's "Welcome Home" - cheers

Thanks rock hopper - hooked on that song at the moment!

[hills]

Nice one, not many people do both of these in a day, but why not eh. I was up MAG recently, and didnt get a view, really sad at that cos it must be a fabulous viewpoint, have to go back I guess. Alcan still own the land here, its cared for by an agent, havent known them to close the gate, but its always a worry, so ???

[wilkiemurray]

Nice one, not many people do both of these in a day, but why not eh. I was up MAG recently, and didnt get a view, really sad at that cos it must be a fabulous viewpoint, have to go back I guess. Alcan still own the land here, its cared for by an agent, havent known them to close the gate, but its always a worry, so ???

I think if you can start at lodge and have a bike then doing these two is a good corbett bagging day ( just head up from lodge to MAG (unlike me)

Good to know they rarely close gate but knowing my luck.....

[litljortindan]

Another excellent video.