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We drove over from Kenmore in good time then wasted about 20 minutes driving up and down the road between Crianlarich and Tyndrum trying to find the correct layby near the turning for Kirkton Farm. That was down to me being dozy and not seeing the sign when we passed it - although in my defence Kirkton Farm is only mentioned on about the third line down.
So we finally got going and walked up the Kirkton lane to a bridge over the River Fillan.
River Fillan from the bridge
After crossing the bridge we followed the track to the farm and turned left just before it, briefly joining the West Highland Way where we met the only other folk we saw all day - a couple on holiday from the USA. Almost immediately after joining it we left the WHW for a track to the right, passing an old cemetery with two large trees.
Cemetery with two trees (and two sheep for good measure)
Black-faced lamb
Kirkton Farm
Ben Lui coming into view
This track leads to a level crossing over the railway line.
Railway crossing
Once over the railway line we left the track for a very faint path uphill towards the deer fence.
Crossing from track to deer fence
West Highland Way and Strathfillan Wigwams down below
First stile to cross
Kirkton Farm is doing an experimental regrowing of native woodland so is being careful about keeping sheep and deer out and if we saw any in the section between the high stiles we were asked to report it. We didn't see any.
Ben Challum gets quite a bad press for its soggy approach and we did get a taste of that with a few large muddy patches to be avoided but it wasn't as bad as I expected and we were thankful not to be climbing it after a spell of wet weather.
Muddy section (M's pic)
It was hot work climbing so we had a few rest stops which was no hardship on a day like this as views opened up on every side.
Ben Lui hills
Crianlarich hills
We both enjoyed the cleft ridge at the south top with a little bit of rocky narrowness thrown in for interest.
Reaching the south top with true summit beyond
Pool and pocket of snow at the cleft in the ridge
Narrow rocky ridge from south top leading to the summit (M's pic)
After the south top there's a slight descent before the final pull to the summit.
Approaching the summit
Ben Challum summit looking east to Meall Glas (Ben Vorlich & Stuc a' Chroin on skyline)
South to Crianlarich hills and south top
North to Orchy hills and beyond
For the descent we retraced our steps over the south top
We hadn't finally decided what we'd do the next day but seeing Ben More and Stob Binnein looking so stunning clinched it - we were heading their way!
Ben More & Stob Binnein from Ben Challum
Ben Challum as seen the next day from Benmore Glen
