Who needs Munro's

[Fife Flyer]

A cracking day in near perfect weather, as usual my plan went slighty wonky.
Car was parked in Dollar at the top car park where there is room for 16 cars, overlooking Castle Campbell.
Set off at 9am & headed NE on the good path which is sign posted for Glendevon with the intention of heading west through what on my OS map looks like a gap in the heavily wooded area. However the trees to the north aren't even christmas tree height yet.
This part of the walk was by far the hardest as it involved climbing over 2 fences & climbing up very spongy, soft undergrowth, it was as hard as walking on soft snow. After a struggle I eventually picked up the "real" path which heads between Whitewisp & Innerdownie - what a relief. I was surprised how much snow there was, as it turned out the snow was useful because one could see plenty of boot prints to indicate the path.
I have to say that the views from Innerdownie were outstanding, equalling any munro & probably better than most.

My start point

Path to Glendevon with the real forest in the background

My unconventional route of ascent, not to be recommended

The correct path, with Innerdownie in the distance

Does anyone think these things enhance the views from a summit?

Unfortunately the photo's don't do the views justice

Views in every direction from Innerdownie

Glenquey Reservoir

Glendevon

I could have taken literally 100's of photo's from Innerdownie, but the breeze was picking up so it was onto the next stage. The walk from Innerdownie to Whitewisp is easy & the views make the walk a joy, there was plenty of snow along most of the path.

Whitewisp Hill summit

The path to Tarmangie, which you can see in the distance, very easy going

Kings Seat from Tarmangie

Tarmangie summit, with Innerdownie in the background, arty or what!

The path follows the fence to my next port of call, Kings Seat

One of the problems (for me anyway) is when the visibility is so good, I am always tempted to take 'the more direct route'. I could see Kings Seat & from Tarmangie the direct route looked like it would involve quite a bit of descent then ascent, so I opted to stick to the path & follow all the boot prints in the snow. However the route was anything but direct, as Kings Seat is alomst due south of Tarmangie & the long winded path involves climbing Kings Seat from the west. Maybe one day in the future I will explore the direct option

A few views to the south

Castle Campbell from on high

The path I took initially, taken whilst descending Kings Seat

A thoroughly enjoyable day, one more Donald left to tackle in the Ochils, but I will definitely return, especially as they are so close

[Sarah86]

Have to agree with you, great views are to be had from the Ochils. My local hills and give a good vantage point in all directions.

[The Rodmiester]

Hi there again Fife Flyer your certainly following in my footsteps of last year, until last year I had never ventured near the Ochils, wow! now I realise how much I have missed, wonderful for a long leg stretch with so many variations of walk when you get to the summit. Lucky you they must be pretty local to you as well.

[Graeme D]

Yes, these are great hills. You get a little bit of everything from up there!

[LeithySuburbs]

Been too long since I was in the Ochills, cheers for the gentle reminder .

but...

"Who needs Munro's" - back to English class for you!

[Gordie12]

You counted the parking spaces beside Castle Campbell ???? You need to get out more

Did this walk last June (but in the opposite direction) and thoroughly enjoyed it. After Innerdownie I headed down the track towards Burnfoot which then linked up with the RofW back to Castle Campbell. made for a really good circular.

Went back in August and parked in one of those 16 spaces and went for a wander round Castle Campbell with the Mrs - well worth a visit.

[Fife Flyer]

You counted the parking spaces beside Castle Campbell ???? You need to get out more

Did this walk last June (but in the opposite direction) and thoroughly enjoyed it. After Innerdownie I headed down the track towards Burnfoot which then linked up with the RofW back to Castle Campbell. made for a really good circular.

Went back in August and parked in one of those 16 spaces and went for a wander round Castle Campbell with the Mrs - well worth a visit.

If you had paid a bit more attention on approaching the car park, it clearly states there is space for 16 cars. It is useful information especially as the road up is steep with no passing places

[Gordie12]

You counted the parking spaces beside Castle Campbell ???? You need to get out more

Did this walk last June (but in the opposite direction) and thoroughly enjoyed it. After Innerdownie I headed down the track towards Burnfoot which then linked up with the RofW back to Castle Campbell. made for a really good circular.

Went back in August and parked in one of those 16 spaces and went for a wander round Castle Campbell with the Mrs - well worth a visit.

If you had paid a bit more attention on approaching the car park, it clearly states there is space for 16 cars. It is useful information especially as the road up is steep with no passing places

Hi Fife Flyer

My attention was probably focused on getting to the car park in one piece - the road up to the Castle reminded me of the single track road over to Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan (tree lined road, single track and blind corners) and my record of getting off that road in one piece is pretty rubbish (my excuse for missing the sign!!!).

[gmr82]

Hi Fife Flyer - what a difference a year makes, me on the 29th March last year, on the way to Tarmangie! No fence jumping for me!


I also had the same issue with the photos not doing the Munros justice, FifeFlyer you should head over to Blairdenon soon - by far the best views of the Munros and hopefully a bit of snow left on the tops too