Glen Douglas

Back to Glen Douglas for the first time in a year, longer run planned, a circuit of the hills on the Loch Lomond side of the glen then across the Glen for a couple of other hills. Parked in the hill access car park and set off for Beinn Bhreac, steady walk up, followed the quad bike track until I could see the fence then straight up, over the fence and it's a short walk/trot to the trig point, good views but a bit limited with the low cloud. Easy run towards Ben Reoch on a quad bike track beside a fence, walked the uphill then left the track as it dropped towards Loch Lomond, a short tussock bash and I'm on top. Tullich Hill next via the Spotty Trig at Monadh Tighe Na Laraich, mostly tussocks with the odd faint path where I could find it. Good views to Arrochar and the Alps from the Spotty Trig. From here faint paths wind up towards Tullich they disappear as the gradient increases. Over the top and descend a better path on the eastern ridge until it reaches the new plantation of native & conifer trees. Stumble down to a track 3/4's of the way through the trees that goes along towards the back entrance to the MOD missile store. Use their bridge to cross the river and set off round the outside of the fence, prohibited area warning signs frown on me as I run along. Back into walk mode as it gets steeper, a well worn path follows the outside of the fence. Leave the fence at the back of the compound and head up a glen towards Cruach an t Sidhein, another handy bridge gets me across a stream onto the North ridge of this steep wee hill, a cold wind makes for hard going, reluctant to stop to refuel, should have as the climb took longer and felt harder than it should. Didn't hang about on top in the blustery wind, jogged down the steep drop for a quick refuel before the climb up to Beinn Lochain. One more hill to go, Doune Hill, but its got 2 tops, thought about going round the 2nd top but it only took a few minutes to go over. Descent via the east ridge to avoid the crags, pleasant grassy quad bike track to start then mostly sheep mown ground before a tussock bash to the river and haven of my car.

Arrochar Alps from Bhreac, looking between Tullich left, Reoch right

Top of Loch Lomond from Bhreac

Tullich from Reoch

The Spotty Trig silhouetted against The Brack from Reoch, 

Arrochar from the Spotty Trig

Cruach an T Sidhein, back right and Doune Hills 2 tops in cloud on the left from Tullich

Beinn Eich from Cruach an t Sidhein

Doune Hills top from its 2nd (lower) top, you can just see the Trig

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.

Glen Douglas

Started and finished in Glen Douglas at the usual wee car park but ran in to Glenh Fruin and Luss hills for a change. Took advantage of an access road and bridge into the missile store and ran on a soggy trail round the fenceline heading up rising traverse through a young conifer plantation onto the ridge to Cruach an T Sidhein. Gentle climb with a short steep climb to the top. New fences are appearing all over these hills make for easier navigation but not so much fun. Dropped down to the bealach before the trudge up to Beinn Lochain and along to Doune Hill. A shhort down and up to Doune hills second lower top and took off straight down towards Glen Douglas, I did this descent about 9 years ago and lucky enough to pick a good line, not so good this time, veered too far right and caught in crags requiring re ascent and traversing along, took nearly an hour for what shoudl take about 20 or 30 minutes, next time I'll take the longer quad bike track that comes down at a farm with a bridge saving a wade through the river.

Glen Fruin

Better forecast and an early start.

View up the glen towards a cloud topped A Mhanach and t'Sithein from ascent of Auchengaich 

Cool breeze climbing Auchengaich Hill not as windy on the ridge to Beinn Tharsuin and Chaorach, misty on top and clouds blowing round the Luss hills across the Glen.

Beinn Lochain and Doune Hill from Tharsuin

Dropped off the back and down to the bottom of the Glen for a traverse on a deer/sheep trod round A' Mahanach to Cruach an t Sithein, steep climb to stunning views all round from the top.

The Cobbler, Ime and Narnain from an t Sithein

About turn and back down towards A' Mhanach, went up the West side for a change, looked a bit shorter.

Looking back to An t Sithein from ascent of A Mhanach

Small herd of deer off the side of A Mhanach

Followed a fence line passed the crags then straight up the last wee grassy climb. Steady run down the Strone to finish inside 4 1/2 hours.

Cruach an t Sidhein

Afternoon run to this steep wee hill. Parked at the top of Glen Luss and ran over Beinn Eich, started the climb up Beinn an Lochain then veered off towards Cruach an t Sidhein.

Ran up the ridge to the flat topped summit, good views all round, to the Crianlarich munros and Arran, hazy Jura hills on the horizon. Turned back and ran down to the bealach with Beinn an Lochain then a rising traverse towards Beinn Eich.

Slow trudge to the top then steady run to finish, over 3 hours. More pictures here.

Monday evening run in the Luss hills

Home early and great weather, drove to the top of glen Luss. Route planned for an out and back over Beinn Eich to Cruach an t Sidhein. Slow jog up Eich, nice cooling breeze. Great views open up all round.

View from Beinn Eich to Cruach an t Sidhein

Ran down the back and traversed along the side of Beinn an Lochain, trashing my ankles but avoiding too much extra ascent. Slow plod up Cruachs steep flank.

View from Cruach an t Sidhein to Beinn Eich

Stopped to take in the views and for a few photos, easier run back along to Eich, only a few minutes real effort to get to the top. Last look at the views from Lui to Ailsa Craig. Easy run down to finish in about 3 hours. More pictures here.