Over The Hill

It is true to say that no two mountains are the same, and this is best demonstrated when two mountains are combined in a single walk where the broad, rounded ridge and summit of Beinn Chaorach are in complete contrast to the 1½ kilometre long ridge and steep north east face of Cam Chreag, all of which we would encounter on today's walk.

The route from our start point at Auchtertyre to the 818m summit of Beinn Chaorach is uncomplicated in that a well graded estate track rises in a series of zigzags to a high point at 400m height before continuing along the hillside deep into the newly planted natural forest area at the head of Gleann a'Chlachain. On leaving this track at the 400m height and taking to the broad, grassy hillside, now completely clear of snow and surprisingly dry and firm underfoot, it is then a relatively stress-free but steady pull up an even gradient to the broad plateau and the Trig Point marking this 818m Corbett summit. Such was the beauty of the day, that we took the opportunity to relax part way to the summit, and again on reaching the summit; this was not the day to squander such wonderful weather.

After a gentle descent from this grassy plateau and crossing the 638m bealach, where it is possible to stand and survey the five Corbett summits which make up this round, Beinn Odhar, Beinn a'Chaisteil, Beinn nan Fuaran and today's du0, Beinn Chaorach and Cam Chreag, and where, yet again we forced ourselves to just stop, sit back and enjoy the day, a steady climb leads to the highest point of today's walk, the 884m northern summit of Cam Chreag.

From the northern summit top, Cam Chreag offers a wonderful wander along an easy ridge, interspersed with rocky knolls, all of which just require a few more steps to reach rather than bypass and miss the change of some stunning views down into the Lairig Mhic Bhaidein, a high pass linking the heads of Loch Lyon and Glen Lochay as it curves around the base of the rocky and mighty Creag Mhor towering above it at an impressive 1047m.

Mountainous views remained with us as we descended south west from the southern top and gazed across to the rocky north face of Beinn Challuim as is drops 500m to the waters of the Allt Challuim below. Beyond the steep slopes we crossed into the conservation area and the new plantation of natural woodlands, with its young trees, 390,000 (yes that's correct - 390,000) of them, all barely reaching knee height, but which, in 10 years time will fill this glen with mature woodlands, to regain the estate track for an leisurely walk back to our start point at Auchtertyre.

A great walk, wonderful weather and fine company - Thanks All.