Stuchd an Lochain

[Redrock]

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Stuchd an Lochain seemed the perfect choice for a near perfect day. I looked like a pleasantly short hill day which was ideal for me to get back into my stride after a minor injury (see Beinn Achaladair) - making sure I was fit for some longer walks planned soon. I had climbed Meall Buidhe in November - on the day that the really cold weather was heading south - but delays at the start of that day meant that Stuchd an Lochain had to wait for another day! This was it!

Stuchd an Lochain from Glen Lyon

I started off from the parking place at the dam and planned to follow the Walkhighlands route. When I arrived at the cairn at the bend in the road I decided to take to the hill path. After a short steep boggy section it turned into a reasonable hill path which climbed streadily upwards so that the boathouse was well below me when I arrived above it.

Above the boathouse

That's when the steep and eroded path started and continued for about 300 metres of so. It felt a bit like climbing up a stream bed but thankfully it was fairly dry most of the way! There was some better bits of path in places but I fear they will also erode in time. There's an argument here for the kind of well maintained mountain path you get in National Trust areas!

Steep and eroded path!

Eventually emerging onto the ridge It was a relatively short walk uphill - getting steeper again - onto Creag an Fheadain following the fenceline and then southwards towards Sron Chona Choirein to pay a visit to the Munro top.

To Creag an Fheadain

On Sron Chona Choirein

By now the summit of Stuchd an Lochain was in clear view rising high above the almost circular Lochan nan Cat.

Stuchd an Lochain and Lochan nan Cat

A pleasant walk along the ridge followed by a final steeper climb took me onto the summit.

Towards the summit

Being a near cloudless day there were clear views of the mountains all round. Ben Lawers with all its satellites stood out great to the east. The mountains of Glen Coe were clearly seen above view of the Loch an Daimh. Way over Rannoch Moor Ben Nevis loomed large even in the distance.

Ben Lawers hills

Glen Coe and Loch an Daimh

Looming Ben Nevis

I spent a bit of time enjoying lunch having been joined by a hill climber from Crieff who kindly took my summit photo - and then I took his. Set-up photos never work as well on mountians!

Summit picture - Stuchd an Lochain

After enjoying the view for a time it was time to set off back down, retracing my steps back to the start point - back down that steep approach path. It was okay at this time of year but I imagine it could be very hazardous in ice and snow.

The steep path down

I was back to the car in an hour and twenty minutes and soon on the way home enjoying a very beautiful Glen Lyon.

Stuchd an Lochain had proved to be a really enjoyable mountian and it was not too long a day on the hill. I was driving in the car from Cowdenbeath for as long as I was on the hill! It took about two hours for the journey home. But thankfully drive up Glen Lyon and back was thoroughly enjoyable!

[Raymond]

Nice report and pictures - looks like you had a gread day for it.

[niblue]

Nice report. Stuchd an Lochain is a lovely little hill and one of only a few munro's I've been up twice.

[monty]

Nice report Redrock. Some excellent pictures in the sunshine.

[Jockstar]

This is nice wee walk and I just loved the walk along the shoulder towards the top. Your photo of that is almost identical toi the one I took ! Nice one

[Tenbob]

Glad to see you had a nice day for your walk Redrock. I tackled Stuchd an Lochain after Meall Buidhe a couple of years ago and the weather was pants. The steep, eroded path you talk of WAS pretty much a stream when I walked it. I did vow to come back one day when the weather is better.

[Redrock]

I did vow to come back one day when the weather is better.

It's definitely worth a return visit, Tenbob. It's not the highest of Munros in the area but it does command some amazing views of the hills all around - and well up to the north. And the actual climb didn't take long. I especially enjoyed the final ascent to the summit - a nice wee climb up after the ridge walk - and then you were there at the top!

[ChrisW]

That's my kind of walk Redrock - some cracking views from that wee hill