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Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges


Postby eckfaebirkie » Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:56 pm

Route description: Beinn Mheadhonach, via Glen Tilt

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn Mheadhonach

Date walked: 07/11/2009

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 23 km

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This hill would require good navigational skills in bad weather or poor visibility and is actually the least attractive part of the route described.
The walk can be shortened by cycling up the road to "Gilbert Bridge"

The forecast was very good (no rain) but the promised morning mist greeted us as we reached the car park at ""Old Bridge of Tilt (GR: 874663).
I left the car park, accompanied by Dek, Pat, Ann and Bella (the cross collie) and crossed up through the gates identified with "Forest Lodge", which is the main route up Glen Tilt. After just over 30mins.we reached the River Tilt and the first of the four bridges on the route.
The views from here, up and down the river, were dramatic given that the morning mist was just beginning to lift and the sun was making a valiant effort to break through
SP_A0079.jpg
River Tilt from the first of the four bridges.


Continuing on the road, we were treated to some quite dramatic views of the river Tilt and one small, but impressive, waterfall on the right hand side after about 0.5 kilometre.
SP_A0082.jpg
Small waterfall


We reached the second bridge (Gilberts Bridge)on just about the hour mark.
SP_A0091.jpg
Gilberts Bridge


Crossing the bridge, we continued for about 50 metres, until reaching a gate at the start of the forestry road, which was locked.
We thought we were scuppered, until we noticed the strangely shaped "diamond " gate just to the left.
This is where you would have to leave bikes, if used, as it looks sort of impossible to get them through the gate.
SP_A0090.jpg
The "Diamond" Gate.


Heading NW on the track for 1.5 kilometres we reached the third bridge which crosses the Allt Mhairc. The views under this bridge are fantastic with quite a big drop on the lower side.
SP_A0083.jpg
Under the bridge.

SP_A0084.jpg
The "Third Bridge" over the Allt Mhairc


Just after the bridge the path splits, we took the left hand branch and crossed the open hillside following the Allt Mhairc for a further 30 mins until we reached the fourth, and probably the most impressive, bridge (Not THE Forth Bridge)
SP_A0085.jpg
Dek and Bella on the path up Glen Mhairc with Beinn Mheadhonach in the distance.
SP_A0086.jpg
The path down to Allt Mhairc
SP_A0087.jpg
The "Fourth Bridge"


This is where the pleasant walk stops and the hard work begins. After crossing the bridge and following the path for about 20 mins. the path disappeared and we were left to trudge, through knee deep heather, for about an hour.
Higher up the hill we re-discovered the path then came across a large cairn, accompanied by a decent sized howf, which we bookmarked for stopping for lunch on the way down.
SP_A0088.jpg
Bookmarked for lunch.


After about 3hrs and 45 mins., in total, we finally reached the summit cairn.
The views were good, giving good visibity, over Beinn a' Ghlo, Ben Vrackie and numerous other recognisable tops.
The return route was the reverse of the ascent, although it was easier to find a path, of sorts, on the way down the hill.
With failing light, the walk back to the car from Gilberts Bridge seemed eternal but we eventually reached the car 6hrs and 10 mins after leaving.
[attachment=2]Route.jpg[/attachment
Attachments
SP_A0086.jpg
Continuing towards the "Fourth Bridge"
eckfaebirkie
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Re: Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Postby mountain coward » Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:38 am

Nice report - and good to see the area I'm gonna be in at the end of the month for the Tarf Hotel trip! :)
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Re: Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Postby John Burgess » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:12 pm

Thanks for the report :)

I used to take groups in to camp at Gilberts Bridge - even had fireworks there one November 5th :D
I'd never realised there were such fine bridges up the side glen!

That's the way in I've got planned for the 'Tarf Hotel' trip at the end of the month. Please tell me the knee deep heather doesn't last all the way to the top :lol:

All the best,
John
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Re: Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Postby monty » Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:56 pm

Nice report Eck...,

That diamond gate looks weird :shock: Is that specifically designed to stop hairy bikers :lol: Nice to see the summit of Beinn Mheadhonach as I hope to be there on the Tarf Inn exped at the end of the month :D
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Re: Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Postby eckfaebirkie » Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:09 pm

John,
The heather does get a bit shorter near the summit and the long summit ridge is very short, mainly moss and a few boulders. :D
eckfaebirkie
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Re: Beinn Mheadhonach via Four Bridges

Postby gaffr » Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:55 am

hello,
A very pleasant 'wee ronnie'.....it's tantalisingly close to the remote(ish) Beinn Bhreac....but I did'nt have the energy to wander out towards it on the trip to Mheadhonach!

Maybe this 'gate'! would be more suitable for hairy bikers?
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suitable for  hairy bikers.jpg
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