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With an early morning inversion soon clearing, it was set to be another Highlands scorcher. One of those days where you leave sunny, blue-sky photos to do most of the talking...
Hot even at 10am in the car park:
It's not long before you're up the first part of the access road, past the electricity substation and the mountains really start opening out ahead. Ben Vane:
A' Chrois:
A few cows later, and it was time to head upwards. Steeply upwards. Thankfully most of the bog had dried out after a week of fine weather, and a gentle but cooling breeze was blowing in from Allt Coiregrogain. Even more thankfully, we hadn't missed the turnoff, possibly unlike the two guys slowly ascending steep, wet ground thick with vegetation just to the north of the path. Loch Sloy over to the left:
And later on, below:
It has to be said that the ascent was a bit of a sweaty affair. But the path and topography have plenty of interest - little, graceful ridges, small valleys and a tumbling burn perfect for keeping cool (or topped up with water). Near the top, a beautiful view opened out to the southerly reaches of Loch Lomond:
And the view from the top was fantastic. We overheard a Swiss family expressing their surprise, in French, at how quiet it was despite half the world coming descending on Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games only a few dozen miles away. Good point.
Loch Arklet to the east:
More of Loch Lomond to the northeast:
The actual Munro summit is slightly further to the north than the trig point.
The view to the north is perhaps even better - and all mountains we haven't yet climbed
And finally to the west:
One last stop for a chat and to admire the view from the now-empty trig point:
We toyed with the idea of a return over the Little Hills, but that seemed to involve a long A82 road walk or pathless traverse across steep ground, neither of which would be a comfortable way to soothe tired legs. So it was back the way we came. No great hardship, as the best views are now ahead and of course its all downhill!
The walk happily ends back at a cafe serving cold drinks and ice cream. All in all, a perfect day to whet the appetite for the rest of the West Highlands.
- Loch Lomond from Firkin Point