Sandwich run

Luss hill run this week was a bit greener than usual as I cycled there and back.  After 12 before I made it out, route planned was Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill back via Coillie Eughain Hill. Set off up Dubh, ran the first steep section to where the gate used to be then lapsed into walk the steep bits and run the rest. Cloud lifted off the top of Beinn Dubh as I gained height, good views up and down the loch but the Arrochar Alps stayed cloud topped throughout. Easy run along to Mid Hill and down to the glen, couple of route choices, stick with the plan, turn off for the Lollipop route or the harder double back over Mid and Dubh, Reached the glen and chose the harder option, trudged back up Mid Hill then an undulating run along to Dubh and the last two miles easy down hill to Luss. The cycle back was easier than expected.

Across the Loch to Conic

Looking over one of the Mid Hill cairns to a cloud topped Glen Douglas and Arrochar hills

Loch Lomond islands from Mid Hill

Ben Lomond from Mid Hill

Loch Lomond from Beinn Dubh

Roon the Vale

Decided to run local as the forecast was for gales on the hills. A 17 mile anti clockwise route round the Vale of Leven, taking in Pappert Well, Whinny Hill and Bromley Muir. Pappert Well first, across Bonhill Bridge over the river Leven, a gradual climb beside houses to start then grassy and muddy paths to the Pappert Well Trig. Sunny with a cool breeze, kept moving and just warm enough without gloves or jacket, great day to be out. Looped past the Well down a muddy fire break before turning through fields towards Whinny Hill  More houses and tarmac to the back of Balloch Park, straight up more fields to the Whinny Hill trail loop and back to Balloch Park. Another mile or so of tarmac to get to Upper Stoneymollan road. Last 5 miles off road, legs starting to suffer but felt better buoyed by the lack of tarmac to come. Three Lochs Way to start then the walkers paths over Bromley Muir to the Carman Fort. Last mile and a half mostly down hill on paths and though fields.

Pappert Well Trig

Upper Stoneymollan

The Ben and Loch Lomond

Mount Malow cairn, Carman Reservoir & Dumbarton Castle

Autumn

 

Is it a path or is it a stream?

Took to my local hills today, the access roads were like rivers. Up towards the fort and the path flowing like a stream which would be the the same for most of the morning, no avoiding it as it is surrounded by ferns and heather. Incessant rain but not much of a breeze so it was fine for a run. Along Bromley Muir to the top of the Stoneymollan then the three lochs way to Ben Bowie, stopped for a bit of path maintenance through the forest to divert a stream that was ripping up the hardocre path. Ben Bowie to Killoeter via the ridge and the Hel n Back route, not much in the way of views but still good to be out. Down though the forest on my way back and my path repair had worked but probably too late as there is a 4 inch deep groove where water had been running down the path.

Bromley Muir Trig

Ben Bowie Cairn

Killoeter Cairn/Stick!