Autumn

Last week we went a walk from Kilmahog to the base of Ben Ledi following cycle pathways and forestry roads. On the drive there we took the "scenic" route from Aberfoyle to Callander and had to stop at the side of the road, the views were just amazing! I thought I'd share just a snapshot of these. I love this time of year, everything is so crisp and the colours are so alive. Hope you're having a good Autumn!

Glen Donich Circuit, Lochgoilhead

To mark the start of Spring my mum and I brushed off the walking boots and dragged out the waterproof trousers (it may be Spring, but it is still Scotland), and headed for a new walk. We were looking for something that gave us a couple of hours of walking while also being sheltered by some woodland. What we decided on was the Glen Donich circular route from Lochgoilhead.

This was our first time at Lochgoilhead and after a slightly scary single track road from the Rest and Be Thankful we entered the village. We parked at the Arboretum car park on Hall Road which is opposite the fire station and primary school. The car park  has a large eagle carving and some nature/ walking guide boards. From the boards we headed right and into the trees. We continued left until the end of this path and then took the path to the right which looks like it is heading along a clearer route.

As we continued we saw some lovely views of Lochgoilhead to the right. On approaching a fence we followed the wooden signpost that pointed to the left indicating "Glen Donich". It was here that we bumped into some Highland Cows who were blocking the gate. Thankfully the cows were pretty chilled out and let us pass by without any drama.

Past the cows we continued on the path up to the left which starts to wind closer to the river, with the noise heightening. From this straight road we came to the rapids and waterfalls of the Donich Water. This is the half way point of the walk and a nice place to take a rest and snap some pictures. We continued across a footbridge and turned left into the forest above the falls. Once you've passed over a second bridge there is a little picnic table. From here there are views to the surrounding mountains through the forestry greens.

Follow the route back down to Lochgoilhead and gently stroll the rest of the way back to the carpark. Being a circular walk with signposts throughout this is a simple route but also a very enjoyable one. We accidently took one wrong turn and ended up on the route to Campbeltown, but thankfully with the walk being a circuit we quickly realised our error! We passed the odd dogwalker along the path but generally we were by ourselves. However, I can imagine this being a popular route with tourists and locals throughout the Summer months.

The Facts on the Glen Donich Circuit:

• We started from the Arboretum car park on Hall Road, Lochgoilhead. It is free to park here. 
• I saw signs in Lochgoilhead pointing to public toilets.
• Walking at leisurely pace this walk took us around 2 hours.
• Distance is around 5k.
• Difficult points: After passing the footbridge over the falls and rapids the path gets slightly steep. Nothing too difficult.
• Wear: Hiking/ hill walking boots and trousers that you don't mind getting a bit muddy.
• Perfect for anyone, from dogwalkers to those looking for a good Spring/ Autumn walk when  the weather is still changeable. 

Signal Rock

Shortly before Christmas my mum and I decided to head North in search of snow. If you want snow in Scotland without going too far I recommend heading to Glencoe; to me it feels like a gateway to the Highlands. Once there we definitely found plenty of snow (and even a little snowman!) but we also managed a short walk away from the main road.

Just off the road through Glencoe on the right hand side (when heading North) is a car park with a plaque for An Torr. On this it shows a few trails through the woodlands in the middle of the Glen. Due to sunset coming on soon we decided to take the short walk to Signal Rock. Although it was freezing near the mountains, in the woodland it was much more sheltered. This short walk ambled over a wooden bridge with posts and signs leading the way to the rock.

On the wander up my mum told me the story of how the rock got its name. Signal Rock marks the site the order was given by the Campbell clan to massacre the MacDonalds that lived in Glencoe. The facts of this are disputed but it does give you something to think about on the wander through the mountains and woods.

Once at Signal Rock you can walk round it and up to the top where you can see mountains all around. Due to the trees having lost there leaves for Winter this view was a lot clearer than it may be in the warmer months.

I think this is a great short walk for the middle of winter when you want to stretch your legs but not get frostbite. You can even make a snowman on your way!
Further Reading:
Some other details on Signal Rock and walks in the area can be found here.

Cnoc Coinnich

On our Bank Holiday Friday my mum and I decided to make the most of the extra day on our weekend and the early Autumn sunshine to go a hike. Our pick was Cnoc Coinnich, a hidden peak among some more well known hills like The Cobbler and Ben Donich. We parked the car at Ardgarten Visitor Centre, just past Arrochar. As you enter the visitor centre drive over the bridge and continue to the left until it leads you to the Coilessan Events car park.

From the car park the walk begins through the locked gate and cross over the burn. Continue a short distance until the Coilessan Glen signpost where you make a turn to the right. From here the clear path continues to climb through some conifers with views of the mountains all around.

Continue on straight, ignoring a cycle path on the left. The walk is constantly climbing but is not too steep at this stage and the path is clearly marked. Leave the main path at the signpost for Lochgoilhead 6km and follow a more rough up and down path over two footbridges. Then it is time for the proper climb which follows the side of the burn. This is the steepest part of the walk and I don't feel ashamed to say we took a brief break half way up to catch our breath and admire the views.

At the top of this ascent is a fence with a style to climb over. We saw 3 sheep in this area but they quickly wandered off after our arrival. There is no path for the last part of the climb but continue straight, looking out for the cairn marking the summit. Parts of the hilltop are a bit boggy so take care to try and avoid these.

Once at the cairn it is time to appreciate the views of the surrounding mountains and lochs. There is also a small lake at the top of the hill. We crouched at the cairn to take pictures, admire the sights and shelter from the strong wind. Although it was a calm September day at the top of Cnoc Coinnich the wind was very strong and standing was even difficult. The beauty of this walk was how remote it felt, considering how close it is to Arrochar, Tarbet and the hussle of Loch Lomond. We didn't pass another person and from the summit no signs of modern Scotland could be spotted, apart from some far off cottages. I'd recommend this walk on a clear day to really take advantage of the surrounding views, but I think it would be perfect for any season. We returned by the same route, feeling the buzz of having accomplished something with our Friday.

The Facts on climbing Cnoc Coinnich:

• Starting point is from the Coilessan Events car park in the Ardgarten Visitor Centre, just past Arrochar.
• Nearest public toilets are at the start of Ardgarten Visitor Centre and are free.
• Climbing Cnoc Coinnich takes around 2hours 30mins- 3hours.
• Distance is 6miles/ 9.5km.
• Difficult points: Steep climb by the burn up to the hilltop; strong winds at the summit.
• Wear: Hiking/ hill walking boots and perhaps bring a hat or hairband if you have long hair as the winds at the top are very strong.
• Perfect for those who want a bit of a challenge, and seek the reward of stunning views that are rarely seen by others. Remember to add your stone to the cairn!

A Woodland Walk from Tarbet

The starting point for this walk was from the restaurant car park behind an old church (now restaurant) in Tarbet. The train station is a 2 minute walk from here, but the restaurant car park is much larger and free so I would recommend it for parking. When setting off we saw a few other walkers getting ready so it looks like this is a popular starting point.

 From here we followed the path to the train station and went through the underpass until we got to the Cruach Loop signpost. If you were to turn left here you could walk to Arrochar, but today we took the right turn. This walk is circular and on the way up we took the path parallel to the railway line. This is an enjoyable route through woodland with low hanging branches and up and down gentle slopes which keep the walk interesting.

 

Following this path we got to a footbridge which we crossed then continued to climb up a steeper slope. This was the hardest part of the walk as the slope ascends quickly as you follow the route of the burn, but at the top of the incline you are rewarded with a picnic table and a spot of rest before crossing another bridge. From across the bridge you could continue right on a smaller path which would lead you to the summit of the small hill Cruach Tairbeirt (but watch your feet as there is a large quagmire on this route). But today, as the weather was gray and we were taking it easy we took the left route from the footbridge and continued on the return route through the woodlands.

The beauty in this walk was the glimpses through the trees of the higher hills around  and the delicate flowers and fungi hiding in the woodland. The gentle, reassuring noise of the burn also adds to the relaxing feel of this route. Altogether at a very realxed pace this route took us around 2 hours and followed mainly well guided clear paths, despite a few diversions for fallen trees. We never saw anyone else on the route this day but I think it would be suitable for most as well as dog walkers. This was our first walk on this side of Loch Lomond but I'm looking forward to discovering some more!

The Facts on this Walk:

• The starting point is the park park behind the old church in Tarbet, or from Tarbet train station.
• Nearest public toilets that we found were in Luss, which are free.
• Walk without Cruach Tairbeirt is around 1hour 30mins- 2hours.
• Difficult points: Cruach Tairbeirt if your so inclined, or the steeper slope after the first footbridge.
• Wear: appropriate footwear as it could be muddy if its been wet.
• Perfect for any walker who wants woodlands with a bit of a view of the surrounding mountains! 

 

Invertrossachs: A Short Walk in the Rain

Summer has faded fast in Scotland, trees are already turning copper and I don't think I have managed a non-jacket day since the first of August. Despite the chilling climate, this weekend we found a great walk that is enjoyable for this changeable season, a short jaunt on the south side of Loch Venachar to a secret mini loch near the forest. To get to the small car parking area we left the Callandar to Brig o' Turk road (A821) on the South side of Loch Venachar and continued on the minor road past Invertrossachs house to the car park near the cycle route. We started our walk by turning out the car park and continuing to the left past the Loch and the boat club. There were a lot of canoes and small boats on the Loch as we passed and even someone in swimming (which made me instantly feel warmer!). Despite being near the Loch there are plenty of trees nearby which gave some shelter to the drizzly windy day.

We continued on this path until we got to a signpost of the left pointing out the Right of Way to Aberfoyle via the Menteith Hills. We followed this path up a steep grassy hill and through some overgrown ferns. As we pushed past the foliage we were spattered in water so I would recommend a waterproof if doing this walk on a damp day. The upwards climb was fairly steady with rocky paths to lead the way. Once the route levels out you can take time to observe the beautiful view of the Loch below. At the time we went there were a lot of trees cut down and some had been lain over the track we were following. To get around this we took a brief detour through the edge of the forrest just to get around the logs then continued back on the path, with the forrest on either side providing cover from the elements.

 

This route shortly led us to the hidden Loch (and Scout hut on its banks). On a warmer/ drier day this would be a lovely spot for a rest and picnic and I can even imagine people out canoeing on the secret Loch. At this point we walked past the Scout hut and started on the stroll back to the car park, following the clear path. We passed a few cyclists along the road here and looked out over Loch Venachar and spotted a rainbow (perks of Autumn showers!).

Altogether the walk, at a leisurely pace, took us around 1hr 30mins and is great for all abilities and weather conditions. I loved spotting the changing colours of late Summer into Autumn while also having the shelter of the forrest around us. The views of Loch Venachar and the opposing banks were impressive while the Hidden Loch was peaceful and still (and made me feel like I had discovered something that those in cars cannot!). Hopefully, the sun will last for a couple more walks this year, but if not I'm glad to know there are some shorter hikes for rainy days.

The facts on Invertrossachs walk:

• Starting point is at the car park behind Invertrossachs House.
• Nearest toilets are in Callendar which are free to access.
• Walk is around 3 miles.
• Takes around: 1.5hours at a casual pace.
• Difficult Points: Slightly steep climb through overgrown foliage and if logs are across the track.
• Wear: Waterproofs if the weather needs it and longer trousers for going through high ferns.
• Perfect for all abilities including children and pets.