Ben Bowie and Kiloeter

Fancied a local run today but the hills either side of the Vale usually produce short runs or contrived routes. Chose a mix of Carman and Stoneymollan extended to take in the next two hills, Kiloeter and Ben Bowie, about 13 miles and 2500' of ascent.

Made my way along a usual route to the Carman on farm roads and fields then onto the path which goes behind Carman Reservoir, kept off the road only crossing it to go through the old quarry and out onto the hill following the tracks to the trig point.

Took a wee diverison here, to the left of the forest down towards the Sheperds pool behind Black Third Farm, initially on narrow sheep trods then some waist deep rush and freezing bog. Got back onto the track behind BT Farm going towards Cardross, a short downhill road section to the junction between Darlieth and the Red road and I turned right through a break in the forest up the steep side of Kiloeter, once on the ridge great views over Helensburgh and to Arran.

Turned uphill and ran on quad bike tracks following the forest edge to the top. Continued on the tracks to Ben Bowie through a wet valley, cold toes again. A break for a few pictures then turned for Kiloeter luckily finding drier bits back through the valley.

Back on Kiloeter you climb a fence at the corner of the fir trees and follow an old fence line, feet finding the wire. A few yards in you turn right past a couple of trees and a bit of fun as you plunge down a fire break on an overgrown path. At the bottom they have felled a few rows of fir trees and left them lying across the fire break, tried to walk round but in the end had to climb, came out the other side a couple of falls later to a short section of forest curiously marked with red and white tape taking you onto a narrow path and then the forest road back to the top of the Stoneymollan.

Ran back up to the trig point then along past the Jesus rocks overlooking the Carman Reservoir dropping downhill to pick up the track that takes you back towards the radiomast and down past Milburn Farm. Last few minutes on the road past Overton Cemetry to finish in 3 hours 40.

Enjoyed a tougher than expected run, lost time behind Sheperds picking the best line through the rushes and more time climbing trees coming off Kiloeter. A few pictures here.