Over The Hill

The weather at Dalrigh was quite balmy, with grey skies and a warm breeze, however, the darker skies and low cloud hanging over the surrounding hillsides forewarned us of what lay ahead of us on the higher hills, and, although we were setting off with light clothing, we should not forget to pack the waterproofs. The fine track which leaves Dalrigh and winds its way into Gleann Auchreoch via bridges over the River Fillan and the West Highland Railway makes for a pleasant start to this walk as it rises gently into Gleann Auchreoch and the Scots Pines lining the banks of the Allt Gleann Auchreoch come into view.

As the broken and rather sad looking bridge, the only one still existing over the river, came into view we left the track and descended to the river bank to make our way warily over what remains of this once substantial footbridge, or rather some of us did, while others took the boulder hopping option, the river being at quite a low state.

A few weeks ago, while doing a recce of this route we headed west from this bridge in a fruitless search for a second bridge by which we could cross the deep gully formed by the Allt Coire Dubhchraig; but as we were to discover, after trampling through some unpleasant undergrowth and rough ground, that second bridge no longer exists. And so today, once over the bridge and without the distraction of looking for a nonexistent bridge, we took a more south westerly route into a grassy area between the natural Scots Pine forest to our right, and the forestry plantation on our left, an area through which we wound around and between grassy humps, eventually swinging west and crossing the forest boundary fence at a conveniently broken section, and, still in open hillside, but now a little rougher underfoot we gained the crossing point above the gully as used on our recce; although this time by a much pleasanter approach route. (See note below.)

The balmy weather which we had enjoyed since leaving Dalrigh was about to change, as a thick heavy blanket of cloud descended rapidly down the hillside to meet us, and with it came an incessant heavy drizzle, it was time to don the full waterproofs. Suitably attired, we headed off into the ever thickening mist and cloud as we followed the course of the Allt Coire Dubhchraig as we climbed, initially quite gently, but soon, as we approached the 900m bealach, quite steeply, towards it's source amongst the small group of lochans that lie just below the summit of Beinn Dubhchraig.

A wet and quite miserable summit awaited us, but we at least had one reason to celebrate - a new Munro for Janet - suitably recorded and noted before we found ourselves a sheltered spot for what was a well earned lunch break.

We departed the summit and returned through the mist to the lochans from where we were on compass bearings for the majority of the descent down the 3 kilometre long north ridge to the bridge over the River Cononish. It is a fairly gentle descent for the first 2 kilometres or so, over which the ridge loses a mere 300 metres of height; it is the on final section where the ridge begins to bite back as it loses 300 metres of height over a horizontal distance of just 600 metres on the descent towards the river. However, once down and across the river, this time by a very substantial footbridge, it is then a matter of taking it easy, as one foot in front of the other takes you gently along the Cononish track on the longish walk back to Dalrigh.

A great mountain, pity about the weather - Congratulation Janet, and thanks everyone for your company.

Note: Since the loss of the main bridge (Grid Ref NN 33330 28420) there have been a number of reports on various websites from walkers looking for an alternative crossing and access to the Allt Coire Dubhchraig route to Beinn Dubhchraig. Although in poor repair, the bridge mentioned in my report, ( Grid Ref NN 33035 27700) would be an obvious second choice. And this may be the case, as there was a faint, but recognisable "track" winding through the grassy area and around the hillocks leading to the break in the forest fence, across which it then disappears as you cross a rougher section of ground before re-appearing a short while later. The path bears all the signs of being created through footfall rather than animal, and the fact that it leads from the bridge to a suitable crossing point (Grid Ref NN 31850 27270) of the Allt Coire Dubhchraig above the gully, where it rejoins the original track, would indicate that this may indeed be the makings of an alternative route onto the open hillside.