Surprisingly better underfoot than expected.....Glas-bheinne Mhor

 Hill: Glas-bheinne Mhor (Hill of the cold hill mass)

Type: Fiona

Height: 651m

After yesterdays huge turnout today numbers were back to normal with 5 of us heading for this remote Graham.

I actually had doubts about whether to include this hill as from previous walk reports and experience of its near neighbour I expected it to be a sodden boggy outing. How wrong I was it was a nice walk in 3 defined stages.

Make sure to turn sharp here or end up in Invermoriston

Thankfully a side gate

Firstly it was a long but good forested section which gained us a lot of height at a comfortable gradient, walking on a soft carpet of pine needles, very pleasant indeed. The trees were huge and it was quite dark under them with some very steep drops to the gorge below which were not for the vertigo challenged.

Our hill behind the trees, Meall Fuar-mhonaidh on right

Time to rough it

Next was a hydro track which was certainly not barren. Full foliage along the way plus a good mix of moor and trees, a typical Highland scene. More scenic than expected and quite pretty at times Only issue was stopping for a break and finding 3 ticks crawling about me, not attached, all dead now.

Reservoir with Glen Sheil in distance

Love these glacially formed rolling tops

Cairn spotted

Finally the moor section to ascend the hill. Much better underfoot than expected and a reasonable gradient to the summit. The terrain included wet moor grass tussocks and heather but in the main footage was secure. There were a few hidden water courses with deep holes. At times we had the strong smell of deer and saw fresh droppings but not the beasties themselves.

Glen Affric in distance

North to Loch Ness

Saturdays hidden hill behind the pylons

Head back to the reservoir then a track all the way back

I had read that it was a hill of many false summits but I did not really find that to be the case. Its true that you do not see the cairn until the last moment and the trig not until you have reached the cairn. Reasonable all round views, mostly long distance as nothing really close except its neighbouring fiona.

Could see the hill we were on yesterday, more than we could see then when it was in the cloud and rain.

We descended on a straighter line to re-join the track where we had a slight couple of minutes detour as I kept on the high track until error realised. Just as well as that track curved back inland nowhere near where we wanted to be.

A better than expected ramble in good company.

Ascent: 641m

Distance: 16.9km

Time: 5.53

Wildlife: Raven; Meadow Pipit; Ringlet; Blue tit

ADRC Action photos

Great Glen Way, Taking the high road Invermoriston - Drumnadrochit

Walk: Great Glen Way. Invermoriston - Drumnadrochit.

As I was in the area I decided to complete my penultimate stage of this long distance route. The forecast was for persistent rain arriving at lunchtime but in reality it sadly came much earlier.

Right after shop

I started from the car park in Invermoriston, heading along the Skye road turning right at the craft shop on the far side of the road.

Now follow the lane as it quickly climbs via the zig zag route and soon there are good views back down to Invermoriston.

Diversion

I was taking the High Route so I followed this diversion, not sure how new it is but the path is straightforward.

The path skirts the moor (deer fence all the way) before entering the wooded area for the next stretch. Still mostly climbing before it starts to descend steeply before rising again, a feature of the first half of this walk.  

Autumn woodland

As I leave the woods the rain comes on, lightly at first and then heavier and that was it for the day. 

Wood and stone sculpture

Out on the moor an open landscape, good views and a nice surprise reaching the artistic sculpture in wood and stone. Some pheasants are sitting in the tree beside it undisturbed by my passing. Maybe the shooting we can hear means ‘stay put’ to them.

Plenty of these on route

This area has been deforested and as I descended I look at the hill ahead to my left and spot a track near the summit. Then it clicks that is where I am heading, why am I descending? 

Ornate bridge

On this descent it crosses this lovely ornate wooden bridge, a real feature to remember.

Colour on a drab day

Thankfully the next uphill is once again a zig-zag route so just keep on going as it steeply climbs. Finally I reach the top section as it curves the south flank of Creag Dhearg. If you thought about climbing it forget that as a large deer fence needs to be climbed. 

Finally a sighting of Loch Ness

Now I am at the viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness, which no doubt is an excellent spot on a nice day, lesser so today in the rain.

Mid point

Sadly there has been limited sight of Loch Ness today and once again the route heads inland. The path is straightforward but it is becoming a bit of a trudge.

Indeed after the Pottery turn it becomes a road march for the next three miles not so enjoyable.

cafe). Here turn right and follow an off road path on the left side of the narrow road.

Moorland to Drumnadrochit

After views of the moor the route goes away from the road for the descent into Drumnadrochit but in reality still a lot more tarmac walking.

A walk of two halves the first being much more enjoyable than second. Also the amount of ascent was a bit surprising, I know read the route properly, this was meant to be a leg warm up for 4 Munros over the next two days, indeed it was.
One major gripe was that for almost the whole walk someone had dropped a used tissue roughly every mile. I would love to ask that person why they go to the effort of being out in our great landscape and spoil it in this way, sad unthinking people.
Now just the final section to do and an excuse to come back next month.
That’s if the one bus per afternoon turns up and gets me back to my car at Invermoriston.
Wildlife: Grouse, Pheasant, Wheatear, Stonecat.
Time: 5.21
Ascent: 735m
Distance: 23.6k

Great Glen Way Fort Augustus - Invermoriston but no Nessie

Whilst I was in the area it was an opportunity to complete another section of the Great Glen Way. Time was not fully on my side so the short section from Fort Augustus to Invermoriston via the high route was today’s walk.

The car park at Fort Augustus was almost full with plenty of tourist coaches around. They were to create bedlam later, blocking cars from leaving, police called so be aware which section you park in. The charge is 60p (4 hours)-£1(10 hours) but there is also a free car park up the hill at the start of the route.
Weather was grey but dry so we turned left out of the car park then soon another left and followed the sign up the hill. This excellent seat is a maybe for walkers coming the other direction but too early for us today.

Take a short walk through here on a tarmac road via some nice housing and just before this rejoins the main route another signposted left turn takes you into an old forest. The track winds its way upwards on a zig zag easy trail past some magnificent huge fir trees amongst others.

On a flat section the bench is reached where an opening should let you see the signposted Crannog. Well maybe in the past you could but now the trees have grown too tall, even standing on the bench no view of the Crannog.

Left for the high route

Avoid the white sign post opposite the bench and go further down the track, 1.5 miles from the start, the track forks giving the option of the high or low routes. 
High route today for the views. Again quickly off the hard packed route the track goes left and for a mile or so steeply zig zags through lighter woods with the pleasant noise of a burn tumbling down for company. Lots of different mushrooms here for those foragers in the know.

The walk breaks out onto open moorland and 5 minutes later the first good views both up and down Loch Ness. Pleasure boats are taking tourists on sedate trips whilst small rib style boats are doing fast tight turns, the squeals can be heard up here. Thankfully this does not last for long.

Looking back down the Glen & Fort Augustus

This recently well constructed high route path continues at this high level for another 3 miles before it starts its descent, plenty of time to take in the outstanding views. 

About half way along a newly built sheltered stone seating area has been constructed, ideal for a break to check the map and identify some landmarks. The radar station ahead is the hill that we will bend around. Had a good look but no sign of Nessie on the water today.

The track is still staying high but the gradient is now more of a descent. Surprisingly little wildlife to be seen, a few meadow pipits and stonechats, a couple of butterflies and that was it. No raptors nor even ravens and crows.

The route now winds its way around the hill and begins a very steep descent through the forest. Less of a zigzag than the ascent this would be a steep pull up. The striking white of Invermoriston lodge can be seen through the trees.

At a marked intersection go across, do not be tempted to stay high, and follow the track through the lower woods. It is slightly disconcerting as for over half a mile it takes you inland away from the loch before reaching a signpost where a right turn leads you to a road. Another right turn and the road takes you back to the striking bridge at Invermoriston.

We took in the short walk to visit the falls before finishing with a visit to the café, just a stroll up the Skye road, for a well deserved coffee and cake.

Probably my favourite section of the walk so far, mainly due to the high level views.
Time: 3.06
Distance: 7.99 (12.86km)
Ascent: 1769ft (539m)