Wandering the Striddle

[GillC]

After 2 nights on the raz and still nursing a cold/cough, perhaps a day sweating it out on the hills was just what I needed!

This was a bit last minute and close to home so no rush getting up, lunches made and headed off to Luss, arriving around 11am. Unfortunate thing about this area is parking, £5 for 6hrs to make sure we covered our whole day out. Not ideal but aimed at the tourists and we didnt really have another option.

Still taking things easy on my wee cankle (gettit?) this looked like a good path, with soft going underfoot. The weather was promising too, high cloud and rain not featuring on the radar at the mo, off we set.

Early views over Lomond

The last time I was on the bridge over the "thundering" A82, I was suffering badly with ITBS in my left leg and was almost 2 yrs ago to the day, how times, and injuries change,,god bless the NHS Physio's. Passing behind the red house and into the field, plenty of sheep around as you start on a pretty constant climb up, through scatterings of trees and with amazing views over Luss, Loch Lomond and the surrounding area. The Ben being a bit out of sight at this point.

Clouds boiling over Conic Hill

The sun was out, between the clouds, so plenty of excuses to stop and take it all in,,never mind the two nights of alcohol Thoroughly pleasant meander up the shoulder to Creag an t-Seilich and over to the top of Beinn Dubh at 642 mtrs.

Up Up and Away to Beinn Dubh

Views across to our descent, Mid Hill, and Beinn Eich beyond

We had been overtaken by 1 lone gent and another 2, much younger boys on a mission. We met up with the lone traveller at the cairn, quick chat and a discussion about the sheep displaying some distressing behaviour, constantly turning round in circles on the spot at quite a rate. Wasn't a well wee bleater. With talk of alerting any passing farmers, off he went, leaving us to a spot of lunch,,facing away from the wee sheepy.

The wind had whipped up a bit and was to remain that way while we were at the higher spots so we had our jackets on but so far, staying dry. We could see a few weather systems moving across around us and it wasnt too long after setting out on our way, that we got caught in a bit of drizzle. In fact, even drizzle is too strong a word,,,moving moisture,,there,,that about covers it. The terrain was proving very good underfoot and my ankle gave me no problems. With Ben Lomond in full view and the horseshoe ahead,,on we went.

Its hard on this walk to work out which tops are which, with a few small cairns on the loop round towards Mid Hill. Id missed this hill out on a previous trip up Beinn Eich and Doune Hill in 2010, something to do with getting back to Luss to meet my mum if I remember rightly. We also had another smirry shower on the way round,,again,,didnt come to much. I was christening a new pair of boots and new waterproof trousers, both performed very well and was still using my poles for this walk, in an attempt to ease the pressure on my dodgy joint. We reached the next top of 624 mtrs and were facing down to the return leg. Views right across Glasgow to the River Clyde, glistening in the rarity that is,,2012 sunshine.

Li'l ole me with Beinn Dubh and L Lomond behind

The return leg

The descent down from Mid Hill is pretty much straight down so having to pick my way through the grassy hillocks but made pretty good time. The stile on the lower fence is nothing more than 1 piece of wood on one side,,,fine for me,,not so good for the vertically challenged Margaret lol

Met a couple at this point who had just looked the route up on the internet and came to gave it a try,,well done. Back to the road in pretty good time and off down the last mile and a half or so down to the bridge of over the road to Luss.

Bridge over the Striddle on the road home

Back to Luss with over an hour left on the parking,,so off for a coffee and a seat in the sun at the visitors centre.

This is a nice, simple walk,,one to just get you out there,,enjoy the views and get some air. No real navigation required unless you were unlucky enough to hit it in clag, unlike our smashing day.

lovely lovely day

Pictures tell it all.

[GraemeMac]

Really nice pics and report. Only us hillwalkers could be mad enough to think that a cure for a cold/cough is to venture out into the exposed hills

[soulminer]

You both seemed to enjoy that As your pix show, there are some amazing views from along this walk.
There is some-free, parking to be had in Glen Luss without the Council stealing a fiver from your purse

[bobble_hat_kenny]

Looks a great walk, and no doubt an excellent way of, um, clearing one's head ... I must have a look at those Luss Grahams sometime soon. Your photos are lovely - great cloudscapes (something this summer's not been short of, of course ) - however, it's encouraging that you did capture clear photographic evidence that our planet does indeed orbit a Star: I was beginning to wonder this past month !

[GillC]

Thanks guys,,indeed,,cure for a cold, get out in the fresh air,,hangover,,,get out in the fresh air and work up a sweat lol Must be in the genes lol.

[spiderwebb]

I'm not going to ask what caused the pose in the last pic !

[talkingdolphin]

Nice report and pics, thanks for sharing. I'm new to hillwalking and plan to do this walk this Saturday...forecast not too bad so fingers crossed. : )

[joekell]

done this route last march in the pouring rain great views of ben lomond and the alps but ground was soaking and I was on my butt several times on the descent . parked at luss carpark so long enjoyable walk home. great post and pics more should try these walks