The Mell circuit, Glen Finglas

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This long and hilly circuit takes in Glen Finglas Reservoir before heading up wild Glen Meann and climbing to a high pass to circle Meall Cala known as The Mell. Beautiful woods and rushing streams are found in the glens, while the summit of the trail at 600 metres has a bleak mountain feel.

Terrain

Waymarked paths, tracks and minor road.

Public Transport

None to start. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Glen Finglas car park. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 27km / 17 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 560m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN546065

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the Glen Finglas car park just off the A821 east of Brig O'Turk. Cross the bridge and go through the gate and head left uphill ignoring a smaller path heading straight up through the trees. This route follows purple marker posts although the more remote sections are not marked. The entire estate was purchased by the Woodland Trust Scotland in 1996 and various tree and wildlife regeneration projects are being undertaken in balance with the people who live and farm the land. Follow the gravel path as it winds uphill.

Stage 2

Soon a more open area is reached. Here local school children have planted trees as part of a John Muir Award scheme project. This area of woodland on Lendrick Hill was damaged by fire in 2003 but is being restored. There are good views down over Loch Venachar. Ignore a turning heading downhill to the right and continue uphill. At a fork keep left and follow the path as it curves around Lendrick Hill. At one point a signed detour allows you to view a waterfall before following the path over a bridge and eventually downhill through trees. After a gate there is a good view of the dam and then the path emerges onto the private Glen Finglas road.

Stage 3

Turn right here and follow the road past a house and a farm, passing through a number of gates as it skirts Glen Finglas Reservoir. A viewpoint with a prominent tree trunk makes a good stopping place. A stone compass on the ground shows the direction of various places. Glen Finglas was famous as a popular royal hunting forest between the early 1300s to the 1700s. The Glen played host to Kings David II, Robert II, James I, II, III, IV, V and VI. In later years John Ruskin was a regular visitor as well as the painter Millais and Sir Walter Scott who set a ballad about a fatal hunting expedition, Glenfinlas, here. Today there are often more cattle than humans on or near the track. Keep following the clear route until the track forks.

Stage 4

Take the right hand track signed for Mell Trail. The path climbs gently and soon a long view of Glen Meann can be seen. Follow the track for the entire length of the glen. Just before the hill at the end keep right at a fork and climb the steep hill. A third of the way up a sign points the way for the path to Balqhidder. Stay on the main track as it passes over desolate ground known as the Moine nan Each, Gaelic for Bog of the Horse. The path continues to climb at a reasonable gradient before a steep descent into Glen Finglas is started. The summit at 600 metres is marked by a small cairn.

Stage 5

Eventually Glen Finglas Reservoir comes into view and a stream is crossed on a bridge and an ancient area of woodland passed on the left. Keep on the main track as it climbs slightly and passes through a gate before descending to the water. Pass the track to Glen Meann and continue along the outward route.

Stage 6

The views over the reservoir lose none of their appeal on the return. Watch out for the turning to the left, after the last gate on the Glen Finglas road, and head uphill to return along the Lendrick Hill path. As you come down towards the woodland, take the path to the left, just after a couple of boulders on the path. This was passed earlier on the walk and provides a more direct route back down through the trees to the bridge and car park at the start of the walk,

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