Beinn an Lochain - a wee cracker

[maryhillmoose]

After sitting around for a week reminiscing about our great trip to the Swiss Alps we agreed we needed to snap out of it...if you cant have this...

then the next best thing is this...

We didnt want to drive for hours so opted for Beinn and Lochan, setting off at 8.30am it was easy to find the correct lay-by just a few mins beyond the Rest and Be Thankful car park, and we were on the hill at 9.45am. Slightly boggy ground initially but soon this gave way to a well defined, steep and sometimes scrambly path edging upwards towards the first of several rocky outcrops that are reached along the ridge ascent...

As you gain height and scramble up each steep little hump in the ridge wonderful views open out back towards the Rest and Be Thankful and over to Loch Fyne...

The path is steep but has lots of character, little scrambly sections and great views of the ridge ahead which at times looked pretty seriously steep...

spot the moon just above the ridge?

Eventually a little dip in the ridge is reached to give a few mins relief then its onwards and upwards again for the final section to the summit...

A few mins later the summit is reached, a large cairn marks the end of this wee smasher...

and views, views, views...

A nice sheltered spot just below the cairn to the left was perfect for an early lunch, it was only 11.30 but we had earned it!
For a slight variation on the descent we carried on along the ridge and dropped down over another rocky outcrop...

Just below this a very faint path doubles back across the slopes below the ridge, meanders around the hillside and rejoins the ridge at a little lochan, its only a 15 min detour but cuts out a little of the descent back down from the cairn. The descent was bit tough on the knees and I was glad I had my poles for once! less than an hour later and we were back at the stream next to the lay-by, not before I had squelched up to my ankles in a sneakily hidden bog pool... in conclusion Swiss was Bliss but you cant argue with them there hills right on your doorstep...if only it was sunny every weekend

[Del246]

Great timing, im going to do this hill during the week. Great pics to. Well done.

[maryhillmoose]

Great timing, im going to do this hill during the week. Great pics to. Well done.

Hope you get as nice a day as we did!

[kinley]

Certainly better views than we got 2 weeks ago

We were just a few km south of you - certainly was a cracking day.

Cheers - now I know what I missed

[JTweedie]

I love this hill, and found a couple of sections to be a bit airy when the wind was blowing. Feels a lot higher than it is too.

[Del246]

Did this hill today, in a heat wave !! A superb hill !!

[maryhillmoose]

Did this hill today, in a heat wave !! A superb hill !!

bet you had excellent views!

[Del246]

I did, stunning views. I put them on Facebook but didn't do a report as it would be the same as yours !!

[Johnny Corbett]

The last few days have certainly been the days to be out, lovely pictures in the clear blue sky.