free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I've done this walk several times and it is a good walk to regain fitness. I had thought of going via Ledard but there are road closures all over here so I chose Achray instead.
There are new sign posts up so it is impossible to get lost now. They take you all the way up to the open hill. A new deer fence has been put up around a recently felled area so they must be going to replant it. Near the end a brand new path has been built that takes you to sput ban, no bogs, no erosion, (WH needs updating). Still a bit of a scramble over rocks to get up past the waterfall, but back onto a made path for a bit till a water meadow is reached. Don't walk to the post across the other side, but walk up as far as you can and then walk across. It really is quite wet and although frozen today, I didn't trust it coming back. The made path is gone now, back to muddy and icy worn track to the big cairn. The scrambles here were slippy and care was needed both up and down. The snow had drifted a little up top and there were a few deep bits but didn't use my gaiters or my spikes for this. At the top at 1pm. took photos on both tops and then straight back down. Back in the car park before 3pm, a good time due to the improved path.
First time in snow this winter, it was cold in the wind, I went up and down with four layers on all the way, hat and gloves too.
Ben Venue from above car park by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Path to Ben Venue by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ben Ledi from path by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
New path by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Loch Katrine by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Katrine from Ben Venue by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ben Venue top by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ben Lomond from Ben Venue by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Other top from Ben Venue by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Panorama of Katrine by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ben Venue top by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ben Ledi and Loch Venachar by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Looking towards Ben Ledi by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Achray watefall at footbridge by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr