Beinn Dubh to Cruach Dubh the short way

Luss hills for a long run this week, left it until the afternoon to catch better weather, cloud level gradually lifted during the run. Planned loop starting on Beinn Dubh, crossing Glen Luss and on to the top of Glen Finlas, finishing down Cruach Dubh, the hill the Luss Highland Games race is run over. Good paths over Dubh/Mid hills then rougher ground on the Finlas side. Climbed Beinn Dubh, running the flatter bits and walking the steep. Warm on the way up the sun threatening to break through took a layer off, passed a few walking groups and into the cloud towards the top. Stopped for a drink at the top, rain started, jacket and hat on for the run round the corries to Mid Hill. Dropped out the wind down Mid Hill, warmer again. Ran up to the end of the Glen road then across fields to a small bridge over Luss Water and the trudge up Coille Eughain hill. From the top ran and walked up the ridge to Creag an Leinibh over looking Glens Luss and Finlas. From the top turned back toward Loch Lomond along the ridge to Beinn Ruisg then through peat hags to Creagan Hill overlooking Loch Lomond. About 3 miles from here to the finish over Cruach Dubh, pathless and tussocky to start, aimed for Ben Lomond until a quad bike track appears, take that until about half way down, cut off as it turns away, more tussocks and faint sheep tracks until a better path forms for the last climb up Cruach Dubh, a tussocky traverse across the top to the Games Hill race route, finishing past the Luss Water Fairy Pool.

Beinn Dubh cairn

Beinn Ruisg from Coille Eughain Hill

Glen Finlas and Loch Lomond from Creag an Leinibh

Clyde Estuary from Beinn Ruisg

Loch Lomond from Creagan Hill

Beinn Dubh to Cruach Dhubh

Planned this route for a few weeks, weather and things getting in the way. Set off later than I wanted starting to run before 9, Beinn Dubh first, easy jog to the top in about an hour, passed 3 people going up , 1 coming down. Ground dry and part frozen with the cold wind made keeping feet dry and toes warm a possibility. Around the corries to Mid Hill, good views of the Arrochar Alps, snowy hills beyond a bit hazy.

High cloud meant not much sun. Ran down Mid Hill turning right up to the top of the glen road, through fields to the river, crossing via a small bridge hidden among trees, shortish steep climb up Coillie-eughain Hill, onto the ridge and ran South West up to Creag an Leinbh on the Glen Finlas horseshoe.

Creag an Leinbh from Mid Hill

From Creag an Leinbh ran along the ridge towards Loch Lomond over Beinn Ruisg, good views all round.

The path disintegrates through peat hags and swamps on the approach to Creagan Hill. From there I turned North and down towards Cruach Dhubh.

Chasing deer and other wildlife over trackless ground, trying to get a good picture instead of concentrating on navigation and arrived at the wrong top and had to back track to the main top behind Luss the one used for the Highland games Hill race.

Luss from Crucah Dhubh, new flag required!

Short drop down and back across the river finishing inside 5 hours. More pictures here.