By the time I was booted and suited at the end of the Inverlochlarig road it was 09:30. The car park getting full already and a few folks just leaving for their individual adventures.
There is no introduction to this walk, just across the stile opposite the car park and then pretty much straight up until 700 metres or so.
A few people could be seen higher up the slope. The path of sorts was easy enough to follow and I was glad that the weather had been good for the last while as this would be a horrible boggy slog in the wet.- Looking back towards the car park from halfway up the initial hillside
- View beyond the settlement of Inverlochlarig
A few stops made to admire the views and catch my breath were made. In no time the fence and stile is reached. On the far side of this a chap from Holland was layed down in the sun waiting for his mate that had actually just walked passed him! A brief chat in which he commented that in his 10 visits to Scotland he had only had bad weather once, incredible.
- Approaching the stile
As the ground levelled off they stopped again for a sit down and I plodded on along a broad grassy hillside aiming towards the start of the ridge proper.
- Looking down over Loch Voil
At around 900 metres the view along the ridge to Stob Coire an Lochain opens up and stunning views all around.
- Cruach Ardrain appears
- The ridge starting to look good
A fairly quick pace was made along the grassy ridge and another climb along Na Staidhrichean to the cairn on Stob Coire an Lochain. A few pictures taken from here towards the summit of Stob Binnein.
- Looking along Na Staidhrichean
The walking is as good as it gets, brilliant views, sunny without being too hot and the route for the rest of the day able to be seen stretched out.
A lone walker could be seen approaching the top of the summit. I was surprised how quiet the hill seemed to be considering the weather etc.- Looking to the cairn on Stob Coire an Lochain onto the summit of Stob Binnein
- From the cairn on Stob Coire an Lochain onto the summit of Stob Binnein
Eventually I was at the summit, it had taken 2.5 hours from the start. When stopped the breeze had quite a chill so on with a layer and out of the wind to enjoy the situation and re-fuel. After a brew and lunch had a chat with a French guy who had arrived from the other direction about the same time as I had.
- Summit of Stob Binnein
- Looking down to the bealach and across to Ben More
Off down to the bealach next with the climb up to Ben More not being looked forward to. I was happy that I had approached the hill from the direction I had as the walk looking back up looked to be a real slog. Anyway fairly quick progress was made up to the summit of Ben More, a few folk were passed on the way heading in the opposite direction.
- Summit of Ben More and back to Stob Binnein
- The cairn on Ben More
- Overlooking Crianlarich
A brief stop here and then back to the bealach.
The route down to the watershed between Glen Ben More and Glen Inverlochlarig was straitforward ensuring any craggy areas were cleared before crossing towards it.
- From the bealach down to the watershed between the 2 glens
The highpoint between these glens was a beautiful spot. Lots of birds singing and flitting about and the heat was building as it was sheltered here. I think that I would maybe have an opposing view if the ground was boggy but as before the weather had helped the ground which had good amount of give to it and any boggy areas were easily traversed.
- Down Glen Inverlachlarig from the watershed
- Looking back at Ben More
- Further along the glen
A very pleasant stroll down the Glen crossing the river once until the start of the track was made. The track made a change but the heat was really building up. It seems a little churlish to moan about the heat considering the weather we have had though.
Approaching the end of the track a diversion sign indicated that the hydro works ongoing required a different way of attaing the track through the farm. The signage was not in the least helpful and I ended up in an area that had been newly planted with trees and ended up climbing out over the fence to get on the track.
It seems that the deer fence needed to be followed around the perimeter to get to this point.A short walk back to the car park after a trip that had taken just short of 7 hours. I would highly recommend this way of tackling these hills, the ridge along to Stob Coire an Lochain and on to Stob Binnein is delightful.
