An unfound geocache on Clachnaben was all the encouragement I needed to head out for a wee wander in the hills.
There were quite a few cars in the car park when I arrived at 0915, the forecast did say it would be nicer in the morning turning showery later in the day.
I left the car park at 0930 and headed on the authorised path through the woods, emerging from the woods, I was faced with a choice Left or Right, quick look both ways, nobody to my right so that’s the way I went. A good track climbs steadily curving its way around Greystane Hill, after descending about 30m there is a small path,
almost hidden by fir tree branches, to the right, once you push your way through the outer trees the track is good, it only takes about 15 minutes and you emerge from the trees at a conveniently placed stile over a deer fence
There has been a track cut through the heather that goes to the summit of Threestane Hill, I imagine it has been cut by the estate to encourage walkers to use the stile and not try to climb & possibly damage the deer fence. Great views from the summit Tor, and a great sheltered spot for a picnic.

Onwards & upwards Mount Shade next, there is a good path through the heather that goes directly from Threestane hill to the summit cairn on Mount Shade. It was not until I stopped and looked back to Threestane that I saw the “stanes” it got its name from on the lower slopes of the hill.

Not marked on my OS map but the path continues over the summit of Mount Shade, winding its way through the heather dropping 117m to a col & a small way marking cairn at the head of a small ravine.

From here there is an eroded path that takes you directly to the summit of Clachnaben, joining the official constructed path about 30m below the summit tor.


Now for the task in hand find the geocache, it was cold and very windy, and I persevered for 45 minutes before giving up and logging it as a Did not find. A bit disappointed, but I had not expected to find it, other cachers had tried and failed. Will be watching to see if anyone can find it. After almost an hour on the top searching and cooling down, it was nice to start the descent and start to feel the blood getting to my finger tips.
The descent was on the official path, a very popular hill today almost made it necessary to have passing places on the path.


A nice alternative route to the summit of Clachnaben approx 7 miles and 3 hours walking. A bonus for February it stayed dry something I look forward to in the summer months.
attachment=0]Threestane, Mt Shade & Clachnaben.gpx[/attachment]