Ben Avon

[Les Stuart]

Stayed at Braemar Y.H on Sunday night to walk to Ben Avon on the Monday. Arrived at the car park at Keiloch and got the bike out of the back and then cycled up the road past Alltdour into Gleann an t-Sluigain to about 1km before the ruin of Slugain Lodge which was nestled quantly in its own wee glen.

Slugain Lodge

After locking the bike I set off north west then north into Glen Quoich along a path which just seemed to go on and on as you felt your were not gaining any height. Eventually I reached the junction where the large boulder of Clach a'Chleirich sits.

The Sneck

From there headed north east up the narrow glen to The Sneck where the views opened out and at last real height had been gained. From there up the steep slope to the plateau then along to the summit tor and take in the views.

Summit Tor

Came back the same route and picked the bike up and down near Altdourie passed many game birds.

Slightly disappointed in the walk as it was not what I had expected. The previous day I had walked Carn Bhac and Beinn lutharn Mhor in poor conditions and it was more interesting though becuase of the weather did not take any photos.

[kevsbald]

And I thought this was a classic? The overcast skies were unfortunate and maybe didn't do it justice?

[monty]

Nice one Les,
By all accounts the hills in this area, ie the three nearest munros are pretty flat so not the most picturesque. Great picture of the ruin in its secluded location. I am itching to get up and do the four but the weather is not playing ball.

[mountain coward]

I really liked Ben Avon but then it is my kind of thing being non-exciting... I loved all the tors scattered around though and the huge feeling of vastness and wilderness... I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea though

[LeithySuburbs]

Doing this and Beinn a' Bhuird in a few weeks - cannae wait. Pics are really good and capture the feel of the area. Surprised you didn't really like the walk but each to their own .

[mountain coward]

Just make sure you have a mountain bike or similar for the first couple of miles - makes it a lot easier!

[malky_c]

Was also out in the Cairngorms on Monday, but in the North. Ben Avon did seem to be bearing the brunt of the gloom all day, so maybe just unlucky.

[Paul Webster]

I'm a Ben Avon fan too! I don't remember there being such a clear path up to that summit tor though

Would love to try it from Tomintoul next time - that way goes past loads of big tors.

[mountain coward]

Yeah - I'd like to do it twice more and have much more of an explore... once from Tomintoul (with a bike for the first bit) and once from the Corndavon Lodge side to see where the headless man was found...

[Les Stuart]

And I thought this was a classic? The overcast skies were unfortunate and maybe didn't do it justice?

Hi. Perhaps it was just the way I was feeling on the day as I have done a few of the Cairngorms and enjoyed them.

[Les Stuart]

I really liked Ben Avon but then it is my kind of thing being non-exciting... I loved all the tors scattered around though and the huge feeling of vastness and wilderness... I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea though

As I said to Kevsbald, perhaps it was the way I was feeling on the day as just a few weeks ago I did Beinn Mheadhoin and enjoyed it.

[Les Stuart]

I'm a Ben Avon fan too! I don't remember there being such a clear path up to that summit tor though

Would love to try it from Tomintoul next time - that way goes past loads of big tors.

I did not mean to upset all you Ben Avon fans as I have enjoyed my numerous walks in the Cairn Gorms.

[mountain coward]

I'm sure we're not upset - everyone has different tastes in hills and it certainly is a very loooong walk in and out!