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Excellent day on the Hills!
Good weather forecast worthy of a full day on the hills so off to Arrochar.
Start of the route:
After only about 100 metres the footpath directly up to Beinn Narnain breaks off right. The start of the path is not that obvious.
However, within about a 100 metres on this path you should see the old concrete bases of the old hydro pipe
like this
This path leads directly up the hill in a straight line with the footpath slightly zig-zaging either side of the concrete bases. The path follows the line of the old pipe which is why it looks like a straight line directly up the slope on the OS map!
The footpath goes straight across the first wide track
The path on the other side of the track looks improbable but on closer inspection the path gets better and continues to follow the concrete bases.
As you gain height the views in Loch Long and Ben Lomond increase
Looking back to the Loch and the line of concrete bases;
This is where the footpath crosses the contouring path
The path continues straight up and slightly right. On the shoulder of the path becomes fainter but just continue straight up and it re-appears and views of the Cobbler come into view.
A short pull onto the shoulder of Cruach nam Miseag and views to the North (A Chrois and Ben Vane) appear
The path descends before rising up to The Shield
The views from Beinn Narnain are great:
As you start to descend from Beinn Narnain towards Beinn Ime, the footpath up Beinn Ime becomes obvious up the centre of the smooth slope opposite
The descent footpath from Beinn Narnain is straightforward apart for a short boulder hop across a flattish boulder field and the boggy bottom section approaching the "Gate"
The path up Beinn Ime is a steady slog, boggy in places but improves just over halfway up and eventually becomes a fine path for the last section leading up to the summit.
The ascent from the Gate to the summit of Beinn Ime looks quite a haul but was not as bad as expected - a steady pull. Although this part of the walk is not very interesting the views from the summit of Beinn Ime are tremendous especially out towards the West (Jura etc) and more than compensate.
The descent route back up the same path gives fine views too
Once the gate is reached there is a short section of boggy path contouring across to meet the main path The Cobbler.
Having done the Cobbler many times before I did not ascend the path but it would be only a short diversion to add this to the day.
Instead I followed the main ascent path down passing under the Cobbler to the right passing the path up to the front face of the rocks
The good path ( a great deal of work has been done on tis path (thanks to the volunteers!) descends past the big boulders and down to the small dam.
Once in the forest the path winds somewhat laboriously back and forth above the Loch
before emerging back at the start .
A cracking day out !
