The Cobbler and Narnain

Got up to Arrochar for the first time since October, early start, running for about 6:30 on the walkers path to Bealach a'Mhaim, up the Cobblers back stairs to the middle peak, back down to the Bealach then up to Narnains plateaued top. Back to the Bealach and followed the walkers path back to Succoth finishing inside 3 hours. Early start meant not many people out and as it is Friday, less than 30 walkers and another couple of runners. Beautiful morning, a few of the walkers looked like they were up top for the sunrise coming down as I went up, a wee tent on the Cobblers summit looked like a nice way to take in the sunrise.

Looking back to Ben Lomond from the path to Bealach a'Mhaim

The Cobbler from the Narnain Boulders

Left and right tops of the Cobbler from the Narnain Boulders

Narnain from the Cobbler

Beinn an Lochain from the climb up Narnain

Ben & Loch Lomond from Narnain

Ben Nevis from Narnain

Ben Bowie and Hel n Back

 Local trails again this week, straight up to the Fort and along past the Trig point to the top of the Stoneymollan, along the 3 Lochs Way then John Muir trail.

Leaving the trial to climb up to the top of Ben Bowie.

New route off straight down towards Helensburgh re-joining the 3 Lochs Way for a few hundred yards, then going left onto the Hel n Back route over to the Red Road, returning up past the Black Third farm and the Shepherds pool to the top of the Stoney and a run along to the fort, finishing inside 3 hours.   

Luss Fruin Finlas

Longer run this week, cycled to the foot of Glen Luss, a cold start, frozen gear mechanism made for hard work. Set off up Beinn Dubh under blue skies and a cool breeze with a brisk walk and jogging the flatter parts.

Ran along the ridge to Mid Hill  as great views opened up to the Arrochar Alps, Crianlarich Munros and beyond. Dropped off to the North into Sith Mor and a long trudge up Doune Hill.

Stopped at Doune Hills trig for some food, water and chat with a hillwalker. Ran back towards Loch Lomond to Beinn Lochain then out to the hills overlooking Glens Fruin and Finlas. 

Clouds bubbling up now, snow and hail showers coming in from the North. Short climb up Cruach an t Sidhein then a steep drop, on the climb out the Luss water gulley cramp kicked in, thankfully a few raisins and cranberries seemed to solve the problem as I had 6 or 7 miles to go. Walked most of the tussocky traverse to the watershed between Glens Luss and Fruin before the last big climb up Beinn Chaorach.

From here an undulating ridge over Beinn Tharsuin and Creag an Leinbh overlooking Glen Finlas, dropping back towards Glen Luss down through the peat hags covering Coille Eughain Hill to finish back at the foot of Glen Luss, about 6 1/2 hours, steady cycle home.

Killoeter and Ber Bowie

Another run over these local hills and trails, different route to last week, a mile shorter with a couple of hundred feet more ascent.

Cool, hazy sunshine, perfect for running. Straight up to the Fort, along the ridge to the Three Lochs Way trail.

Down past the Shepherds pool, thankfully most of the mud drying out.

Easy plod through the forest to Killoeter's ridge, undulating run over Killoeter and Ben Bowie. Trail back to the Stoney.

Up past the trig to the Fort, finishing in just over three hours.