A varied low-to-mid level trek through the hills and lochs encircling Blackwater between Kinlochleven and Rannoch, mainly on good paths and tracks.
The northern section ascends in the shadow of the southern Mamore mountains to Loch Eilde Mòr and the wild landscape north of Blackwater, descending via Loch Chiarain to Loch Treig.
The eastern section heads over to Loch Ossian and ascends to join the old Road to the Isles, a good track traversing the flanks of Carn Dearg to Loch Eigheach and Rannoch.
The southern part follows the footpath from Rannoch to Glencoe, ascending through the forest above Loch Laidon and traversing the lower flanks of the Black Corries with views over the wilderness of Lorn.
The westerly return to Kinlochleven uses the fragment of the West Highland Way (WHW) that ascends the Devil’s Staircase for a fine view of the Mamores from the old military road around the flanks of the hills above the River Leven.
Easter holiday week would not be our choice for the long journey to Scotland for a backpack, but the forecast was too good to miss. The warm dry spell had already brought out the crowds in many areas, but on this route we saw only a handful of people in the first two days and none at all on the third. Only when we met the WHW at Glencoe did they appear by the score, but we expected that!.
10 Comments
Geoff, quite superb photography giving a real feeling of the wilderness of the area. Weather looked excellent and an interesting route followed. There is so much great walking in this area.
Mark
Its good to see that you are gradually moving north with your backpacking Geoff. That looks like a cracker of a route, a good potential for a winter round when the hills are under snow.
Mark,
Thanks very much, a superb trek. Loads of unexplored material there, if only it wasn’t so far.
James,
Yes it would look really spectacular under some snow, nothing technical on the route either, a dead ringer for winter.
Geoff, those pics are simply stunning, mate. You’re a dab hand with the camera. But my goodness - it looks like a backpacking trip to remember that one. Some of the sights you captured are breathtaking. You’ve got my mouth watering for a visit to Scotland, now!
Terry,
Thanks very much, worth the weight that DSLR!. This is the sort of trek we look for now on joint trips - great scenery, not much ascent and easy walking - this is a good example. Best in April or May before the midges get going.
Hi Geoff. The midges - yeah, they’ve made me decide to head up to the Arrochar Alps in October this year. I was hoping to go in March but work put paid to that. I’ll get there soon enough. Been about 3 years since I’ve visited Scotland
Geoff that is a fine route. Some bits of it I have done in the past. Clever linking up of good trails as well. Photos are superb as always and one I am sure I will read again when planning a walk.
Martin,
This trek has so much superb scenery for little effort, despite the lack of summits, just the job for us when walking together now. Amazing how quiet most of it was.
Wow, that looks like a hell of a route Geoff. Great pictures as ever.
Thanks Charlie, a most rewarding backpack for the simple joining up of paths on the map and we were well pleased with it.