A Great Day In The Ochils

[Gordie12]

It's been a few months since my first trip to the Ochils and I've been look to get back to do some of the hills I could see when doing Andrew Gannel and Ben Cleuch.

I've seen photos of Castle Campbell and decided I'd like to start from here so the upper car park was where I left the car on a beautiful (and very warm) morning.

Castle Campbell

Walking uphill from the car park I ignored the right of way to Glendevon (my return route), keeping to the tarmac the road to the castle drops downhill and veers round to the entrance. There are two tracks heading to the right near the entrance, the first is about 10 yards from the gate and heads uphill, the second is much closer to the gate and seems to head downhill - I take the first track uphill.

The track heads uphill along the east side of the Burn of Sorrow and even at 9am the tree cover is appreciated. Crossing the burn by a wooden bridge I turned left and then after about 100 yards I took a right turn and started to head for the open hills.

Bluebells by the track

Now the hard work starts with the climb up Bank Hill as well as the lower slopes of the King's Seat Hill being fairly steep.

Memorial - King's Seat Hill

After a while the gradient eases and the last part of the climb is much easier although in full sun it is very warm.

King's Seat Hill - Summit

While two runners pass me (definitely too warm for that!) I check my map and sat nav before heading off for Tarmangie Hill. Following a grassy track I reach two Y junctions both times taking the right hand option as the track gently drops downhill then quite steeply on the lower slopes. Easily crossing the burn the first part of the climb is steep and like King's Seat the gradient eases the higher up you go. The track arrives at a fence/wall which is followed to the summit.

Tarmangie Hill - Route to the summit

Tarmangie Hill - Summit

There was more of a drop down from King's Seat and subsequent climb up Tarmangie than I expected, looking towards Whitewisp, the walk would be much easier.

Follow the wall to Whitewisp

Looking back to King's Seat Hill and Tarmangie Hill

View towards Innerdownie

Like the walk between Tarmangie and Whtewisp, the walk from Whitewisp to Innerdownie was quick and easy. There were a couple of sections where I can imagine in bad weather could be a bit boggy but with the recent dry spell was absolutely fine.

Innerdownie Summit

Glenquey Reservoir from Innerdownie

Looking back from Innerdownie towards Tarmangie

I had decided beforehand that I was going to head down towards Burnfoot and link up with the right of way back to Dollar so it was just a case of following the obvious grassy track heading north east downhill till reaching the tree line. At a Y junction I took the grassy track heading to the right and continued downhill.

Plenty of signs in this part of the walk

Really nice grass track with good views down to Burnfoot

Linking up with the right of way it's now a straight forward walk back to the car. Seeing all the signs and the different tracks in this part of Glendevon I hadn't realised how much effort has been put in to making it easy for people to get out in to the countryside in this part of the world.

Track beside Glenquey Reservoir

King's Seat Hill from Right of Way

Castle Campbell from Right of Way

The walk back from Burnfoot was fairly easy going on a good track so it didn't take long to get back to the car. Another great day in the Ochils and it really does make me wonder why I avoided the area for so many years. I had this notion that there would be nothing to see and with so many places nearby, would be really busy. Wrong on both counts, some great views today and as for crowded hills, I saw two runners and one walker in 5hrs (probably different at the weekend??).

Can't resist one last shot of Castle Campbell.

Castle Campbell

[The Rodmiester]

That looks a fine way up, not as steep as The Law with the castle as an added attraction, good stuff. Guess the feet are recovering well At least it's nice and soft and spongy most of the way.

[Gordie12]

Feet are recovering but after 3 days on the trot with the boots on the blisters are just reminding me they haven't gone away completely.

After this weekend it's hard to believe that 3 weeks ago I was crossing Rannoch Moor in a blizzard