A new one for me.....Ben Newe

Hill: Ben Newe (pronounced now)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 565m

I had this hill pre-planned as a gentle leg stretcher after yesterdays epic. What I hadn't pre-planned was the effect of a very sore blister and how it would cope with this hill. I had actually planned two short hills but I suspected one would be enough.

It is described as a woodland walk with a clear view at the top but there has been so much deforestation that most of it is now an open walk with trees on one side at most.

Not very attractive start

Nicest stretch

Summit up in those trees

Hardest bit was not to miss this track or an unpleasant clamber over that terrain

Ben Newe has its own route description on Walkhighlands which is rare for a Sub2k. But in reality you cannot go wrong as it had been picked because there is a trail all the way to the summit, plenty of marker boards around, probably to keep you away from the timber workings.

The positive about the remaining wooded sections was the birdsong, it was non stop singing and calling and particularly on the descent I took the time to stop and enjoy it.

Trig in sight

Hazy view north

Hazy view south, Lochnagar on a good day but not this one

The trig has a small stone enclosure with a couple of wooden benches, you don't see much if you sit on them.

Storm Arwen's destruction evident all around

There are very pleasant views looking down on the green Strathdon farms and landscape but the haze meant no long distance views. On my descent I met a local walking his dogs who told me that on a clear air viewing day he had made out Ben Rinnes, a long way away indeed so I need to take his word for that.

Although I had gone for a short walk it turned out to be even shorter than expected but my blistered foot was not disappointed. I had a second Sub2k planned but I will leave that for another day.

Ascent: 220m

Distance: 4.52km

Time: 1.41

Wildlife: Tree Pipit (1^st this year); Wren; Robin; Pheasant; Coal Tit; Jay; Siskin; Crossbill; Willow Warbler; Great Tit; Buzzard; Chaffinch; Blackbird; Goldcrest;