A grey day for a ramble to.....Craig of Monievreckie

Hill: Craig of Monievreckie

Type: Sub2k

Height: 400m

I had this wee one on my ‘local hills’ Winter programme, ideally for a good weather straightforward midweek solo ramble but the other day I spotted that one of my walking groups had added it to its programme so opted for company rather than a solo ramble.

This is a typical Sub2k, not a lot of height, not a lot of distance, but the rugged terrain makes sure it is not a Sunday walk in the park.

We met up in Aberfoyle which used to be my main go to place when getting the mountain bikes some mileage, alongside Jamie where he learnt his bike handling skills. Good memories but a long time ago.

Unfortunately the weather was grim this morning, rain, very low cloud creating misty conditions, fingers crossed that it would improve.

Glad not going up through that stuff

Rob Roy Way

From Aberfoyle car park we headed up into the forest to meet up with the Rob Roy Way. A straightforward forest track for a mile or so before a sharp left turn where we left the Rob Roy Way. Still on the track but gaining height quicker now. Well used by mountain bikers as a few passed us.

Turn off at the top of this shot

The cut off into the trees proper is very easy to miss. For a short section it is a steep narrow track through the trees. The track is wet with muddy and slippery stones and tree roots.

After that it is out onto the misty open countryside where the narrow trail is still steep but not surrounded by dying bracken.

We clambered up the rough path to reach the small hill at point 393m only 7 metres lower than the main top. Still limited visibility so although The Craig was not far away it could not be seen.

We also had a steep drop of about 50m on a very muddy twisty thin streak of something that might just be called a track. At times it was so slippy that walking in the heather was the better option when possible.

Trig comes into view

More impressive cairn marks the highpoint, just after the trig

Finally back up the height of the drop plus 7 metres! A trig appeared out of the mist and the summit of Monievreckie was reached. It was also bloody cold, so much for a change of weather. Apparently there are excellent views from here but it is Scotland so views definitely not guaranteed.

We retraced our steps back down the 57m but instead of climbing back up to point 393 we decided to circle the hill back to our ascent track.

Rough ground that's more like it

Ascent path found

We had about 15mins of very rough ground, head high bracken and lots of hidden burns ready to trap a leg. The mist was even starting to lift. This is more like proper Sub2k terrain. Rubbish ground but a bit of fun as well.

Uphill path re-joined we headed back down the slippery track. As the weather was better we decided to head up the track to the Ariel mast which is a renowned viewpoint.

Aberfoyle down left corner, Craigmore comes into sight

Ben Venue starts to show itself

When we reached it there was still a lot of mist around but within minutes it started to break up. Perfect timing and atmospheric snaps. This is what we hoped for.

On the descent we took an early wrong turn but rather than walk all the way back we found an MTB trail which linked us back to the original route and back to Aberfoyle.

Overall it ended up being a successful day out. Another wee hill bagged, good company both new and old and the views to finish.

Ascent: 545m

Distance: 12.6km

Time: 4.27

Wildlife:

A failed Craig

Hill: Lime Craig circuit, near Aberfoyle to Craig of Category: Sub2K Height: 400m

On my way up I decided to take a small detour to try out my new boots. Well not that new but they have not had an outdoor outing.

A quick look at the map and I found the ideal Sub2k from Aberfoyle, Craig of Monievreckie. Well, that was the plan and as it turned out a quick glance at the map is not always the best.

With the new boots laced up tightly I started from The Lodge car park and followed the Lime Craig trail.

What can you see in the picture?

Initially this is a forest walk with lots of sculptures and things to keep kids happy.

A few people around but I soon lost them as I headed up the steepening red marked trail.

Perfect blue skies

It was a beautiful morning and the autumn colours just stunning at times combined with a vivid blue sky. Nice waterfall.

As I climbed I heard rather than saw much bird life but one exception a stunning male bullfinch was low down, a while since I have seen one.

Autumn colours stunning

The track twists and turns through the trees with many cross junctions just as well there are red marked posts as I had not plotted a route.

At the furthest end of the red trail there is the option of a steep ascent to a viewpoint which I wanted to use as the platform to get me to the Sub2k. Standing on the top and the OS map shows a mast, now gone, just a concrete platform how old is the map?

Stob Binnein with Ben more behind

Still have a good look around. Last week's Stob Binnein looks to have more snow on it. Ben Lomond also well covered, a great contrast with the trees and bracken.

Enough of the views what about my sub? However, failing to plan is planning to fail. I could see where I wanted to be but the terrain looked awful. From the OS map I thought I would be going along a flattish top. The problem was not the height but the head high ferns and hidden holes. I started up beside an old fence but this was not safe, I was on my own, no poles for support.

Craig of Monievreckie in distance

Back to the viewpoint from where I could see a head bobbing along going up the damned sub. With the binos I could see he was on a track through the bracken coming up from the other side of Aberfoyle. There were a few curses.

Later, when I looked at some walk postings and their mapped routes I realised I was not a million miles away from the trail the walker had taken but it does not show on my OS map. Had I taken a GPS route no doubt I would have gone for it.

Warming leaves

Still the hill will be there for another day and the boots were fine. The weather was great and the views stunning.

Tomorrow will be a different day and I might see some of that snow action.

Wildlife: Bullfinch;  Jay; Wren; Blackbird; Redwing; Greenfinch; Robin; Treecreeper.
Time: 2.01
Ascent: ft (319m)

Distance: m (7.4km)