free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Decided to make the most of the early morning weather................Dry!! Shame there was so much Clag about though
But if you waited for perfect conditions.........you would never get out on the hills
Turning off the A815 from Dunoon onto the B836 i continued 1 mile up the road. You can park either side of the narrow bridge. There's 1 parking place over the bridge and numerous spaces on the slip road just before bridge on left hand side. There is an old bridge on the old road.
The 1 space parking area
Looking over the old bridge from other parking area
Looking over the old bridge. You can also walk under this bridge if you'd like to get some good pics. ( Not part of the walk,but since you are there.
)
07.55 . Starting off from the access gate. It's a straight forward walk to the top of the Glen.
The wooden bridge at the start is a bit slippy !!
Then it's off up the road for 4.1kms to the top of the Glen . A slow steady climb.
Looking over to the cottages of Stronsaul
Near the top of the Glen,i had marked the path of the original 'Coffin Trail' onto GPS but it's non existent,the tree's have been harvested.
There is a sign post further up at the top of the Glen. Here you leave the main Forestry road and head up the graded path.
Untill you get to the upper corner. This is where you cross the fence, over the style by the big stump. I had a rough idea of where i was wanting to go. Once over the fence head up hill,cutting across. The next fence is always in sight. Theres plenty of sections you can just step over once you get to it. Its quite a steep wee climb. I think i was following the flattened grass left by walkers a week ago at Cowalfest,as the Coffin Trail was a guided walk.
There is a history to the Coffin Trail,it was used to carry coffins either to, or away from Inverchaolain. I'll need to look into this more.
A look down to the main Forestry road.
I tried to find the Trail,but theres nothing there as far as i could see. I followed the fence line on my left,till it met up with the fence heading up the hill. There is a small gate to get through. Turn right once through this and head up the hill keeping the fence on your right hand side.
By this time the Clag was blowing in and back out,with every step. Getting thicker the higher up i went. I zig zagged my way up. Trying to get some pics at any chance i could. Looking down to Loch Striven.
You pretty much stick to the fence all the way up the hill,there may be bits you can cut across,but as the Clag was getting worse i always kept it in sight.
At 5.5kms the steepest bit is over. Closing in again.
I continued along ,with only the fence for company.
Passed over Leacann nan Gall in the Clag.....impressive.
After soaking in the sights i headed of in persuit of Cruach nan Capull,nothing much changed....
New fence to follow...... coming soon
Was hungry so..........
The fence was a bit more exciting after something to eat.....
In all seriousness,if your going to eat something off the hills,make sure you know what it is !!
Still following the fence you come to a bit that splits at a large straining post. You turn left here. There is a short steep drop as you follow the fence line..........yes still keeping it on your right.
It's up there somewhere !! It's a steep climb again. I never went to far from the fence yet again and zig zagged up the final stretch.
Clear spell
Made it.
I stood about for a while to see if the Clag would lift,but i gave up in the end. I returned the way i came....this time the fence on my Left
On way back i stopped to gather a few rocks,i built a mini Cairn on Leacann nan Gall
Even almost cleared
Hmmmmmmm...now thati'm half way back,looks like its clearing up there !!
Summit hump
The Clag never stayed away for long but managed a few more pics before my final descent.
I enjoyed this walk. Even though the Clag stayed about for the majority of the walk. Following the fence line worked out well and there are some deer/sheep tracks that make the walk that bit easier. Wouldn't mind heading up here again in the winter after a fall of snow and a clear sky.
Cheers.
