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A cracking day yesterday covering the two southernmost Luss Grahams. In the extra special summer heat this was a long and challenging circuit with two steep ascents and one very steep descent.
We started at the A817 cut off, room for 4-5 cars.
Reservoir with our hills either side
I decided to go anti-clockwise but either way is an option. Go through the gate and normally head immediately up the grassy slopes of Auchengaich Hill to get to the point where it levels off. We had to walk up the path a bit as a herd of cattle with youngsters were camped en route, just in case.
This 300m grassy ascent is pathless, the bracken and nettles were growing high and the breathing was fast. Already great views of the circuit and the reservoir.
Beinn Charoach from Beinn Tharsuinn
Once on top cross the boggy terrain, clegg bite draws blood, and head up to Beinn Tharsuinn, via a faint ATV track, where a small stone set marks the top. Great views of the Luss Hills.
Follow the fence up to Beinn Chaorach, the first summit, cairn on left but cross fence to trig if you need to. More superb views including the Arrochar hills and well beyond.
The ascent route to Beinn a'Mhanaich is clear to the right of the main fault line
Follow the fence along the plateau where there are superb views of the next target and the route. Now at times a very steep descent to the bottom. The fence is useful to grab onto at times.
Looking back to Beinn Chaorach
Looking back from the floor the descent just undertaken can be more appreciated.
Head up here to right of gorge
There is an option break the walk here and to walk back to the reservoir via the burn, cannot get lost.
Looking back to the climb
The fence can be followed almost all the way up to Beinn a’Mhanaich but it is another 300m or so of at times very steep ascent, the legs were feeling it.
a'Mhanaich summit looking to Loch Lomond
Once on top a small cairn is the finish but there are even more extensive views including the Lochgoilhead hills.
No military on duty today so we descended via the ridge along to The Strone where we the descended to the reservoir. This was a mistake as the terrain was awful, very difficult walking and two more clegg bites, obviously the protection does not work for me.
Ridge to The Strone and Firth of Clyde
If doing it again I would continue all the way down the ridge until it joins the A817 and risk the short road walk back to the cars.
We were a small party but a couple of them had underestimated the difficulty of pathless terrain in this oppressive heat so took about an hour longer than expected.
Still a walk not many people will do but I would recommend it, on a good days the views are well worth it.
PS: Surprisingly we never spotted another walker on any of the Luss hills on such a nice day.
