Over The Hill

Two weeks ago when Ian, Mike and I recce’d The Strachur Forest Loop as we made our return along the forest track above Succothmore we spotted across the glen a track zig zagging up through the new forest plantation on Socach Mor towards the open hillside below Cruach na Cioba which sits directly west of Beinn Lochan. It did not take us long to decided that such a track was well worth exploring as an alternative means of climbing Beinn Lochain from an entirely new direction. And so today, here we were, setting off from a convenient parking place just a short distance from Succothmore intent on finding ourselves a new route to Beinn Lochain.

At an easy pace we were soon past Succothmore and at the fork in the track where a gate leads into the young plantation and onto a good track which climbed quite steeply up through the plantation in a series of zig zags ending in yet another high gate at the forest boundary as we reach the 410m contour. Through the gate underfoot changes from track to rough tussock grass interspersed with areas of sphagnum moss making the going a little more demanding as we headed in the general direction of Cruach na Cioba trying to take the line of least resistance over the humps and bumps ahead. The broad summit plateau of Cruach na Cioba has two tops, the highest, at 565m was the first we arrived at, however, having been here before we knew that the slightly lower top to the east offers the best views, and so we continued on to the 560m east top before stopping for a well earned break, and to congratulate ourselves on proving this new route which we now knew was possible as on previous visits Mike had actually descended from Beinn Lochain to Cruach na Cioba, and I had climbed to and descended from Cioba to the Cowal Way by the Curra Lochan, so everything ahead was proven ground. I have concentrated on the route climbed to this point, as that was the main focus of today’s walk. However, I must mention the weather and the views; brilliant sunshine, light breeze, perfect walking conditions, and the views are pretty spectacular also, especially viewing the Beinn Bheula ridge in it’s entirety.

Although we were on Cruach na Cioba, the climbing was not yet done, a slight descent into the bealach below and then we were once again climbing as we ascended the broad tussocky slopes of Beinn Lochain and heading towards a small, hidden lochan which we had earmarked as a pointer on the ascent, and which we had decided to use as the point of break off from the ridge on our descent to join the Cowal Way, and find it we did, a small calm pool of water, a spot for a short break before the final climb to the summit of Beinn Lochain, which I was keen to step foot onto as this would be a new top for me, having set foot on most of the surrounding hills, Beinn Lochain was one I had yet to climb; though not any more, objective accomplished.

Clear sky, sun, a slight breeze and a mountain top with fantastic views, why would you be in any hurry to leave, and so we just settled down for a very leisurely lunch and to ease the legs, as I found that a little too much path walking on recent hills meant I had forgotten just how tiring unpathed hillsides, especially tussock grass, can be, my legs needed a good rest, but thankfully, when we did eventually set off again, it was all downhill from this point.

And so, we made a easy descent back to our little lochan before swinging off down the slopes arcing towards the now visible path of the Cowal Way as it entered the forest just west of the Curra Lochan, the OS maps show a boundary line running from the lochan down to the forest, and it was interesting to note that our arc of descent followed this unseen boundary line almost exactly down to the forest. Once at the gate, it was then an easy hour of walking along the Cowal Way and back to our start point just outside of Succothmore.

A fantastic day, amazing weather, stunning views, a new route and the company was pretty good too, with a nice cool refreshment in The Creggans afterwards. Excellent day, thanks Ian and Mike.