walkhighlands

They're Ochilly versatile

Date walked: 08/04/2018

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 10.3km

Ascent: 848m

Took a little run out to the Ochills on Sunday. The forecast was set to be a bit overcast and cloudy, so I didn't fancy tackling any high tops. I'd seen Big/Little Torry and Craig Leith from the main road, and they always looks impenetrable. However, the Cicerone guide included them in a walk involving Bengengie Hill so decided to go for it.

I parked up at Alva Glen, and set of up the well-made path. I'd forgotten how much of a popular walk this was and the Glen was quite busy. It's really pretty up there, with waterfalls flowing through the precipitous gorge.

Past the zig-zags, I struck out onto the path going along the side of Little Torry and began the climb. It was fairly hard going and steep, and I used a few sheep trails on the way up. I think you can ascend via a gully between Big and Little Torry but I stuck mainly to the shoulder of Little Torry. I was quite glad to hit the summit, and continue on to Big Torry.

From here, it was an easy broad ridge, following a clear ATV track to Bengengie Hill. Bengengie Hill actually turned out to be an interesting little summit, comprising of a tor, with craggy outcrops. There are actually a few spots to practice your scrambling - almost unheard of for the Ochils! I sat for a good half an hour eating my lunch and enjoying the peace. There was hardly any wind - a Brucie bonus at the moment anyway!

From Bengengie, it was a short, sharp bum-sliding descent down to a sheep pen, where you can pick up a good landrover track along the side of Craighorn, back to the south face of the Nebit. From here, a faint path at the zig-zag tracks will take you back to Alva Glen.

One of the things I really like about going a bit off-piste at the Ochils is the solitude and peace. Outwith Alva Glen, I didn't see another soul all day. I think this might just be my new favourite Ochils walk.

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Glorious sunshine in the Cairngorms

Attachment(s) Munros: Ben Macdui, Cairn Gorm
Date walked: 06/05/2017
Distance: 17.5km
Ascent: 950m
Comments: 3
Views: 3026

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Activity: Ambler
Pub: Clachaig
Mountain: Creag Pitridh
Place: Camasunary Beach
Gear: Buff
Member: None
Ideal day out: Easy Munro and a pub!

Munros: 59
Corbetts: 22
Fionas: 9
Donalds: 8
Wainwrights: 9
Hewitts: 7
Sub 2000: 35
Islands: 34



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Statistics

2018

Trips: 1
Distance: 10.3 km
Ascent: 848m

2017

Trips: 1
Distance: 17.5 km
Ascent: 950m
Munros: 2


Joined: Jul 05, 2013
Last visited: Mar 26, 2024
Total posts: 21 | Search posts