Other walks and ways: Glen Clova, day one
Walking Scotlands coast.....
GLEN CLOVA WALKING WEEKEND
DAY 1
Friday 26 September, 2008
Auchallater via Jocks Road to Glen Doll
14.0 Miles
DAY 1
Friday 26 September, 2008
Auchallater via Jocks Road to Glen Doll
14.0 Miles
We set off by minibus at 0700 for the 100 mile journey to Auchallater and after a stop for tea and bacon rolls we arrived and were on foot at 1030. The weather at this time was cloudy but dry.
We started the walk at the small parking area at the bridge over the Callater burn at Auchallater. The walk starts on a vehicle track sign posted “Public Path to Clova” which we followed to Lochcallater Lodge.
From Lochcallater Lodge we followed a path along the north side of Loch Callater. At the end of the loch we continued to follow the well used path (Jock’s Road) on the north side of the burn to Glen Callater. As we neared the start of the climb the path became less clear and our group fragmented using several different paths to the top. On regrouping at the top we had drifted off our planned route and were on the south side of Tolmount. We decided at this point not to go back to Crow Craigies to pick up Jock’s Road but continued instead up onto Tom Buidhe then towards Meikle Kilrannoch before making our way down the hillside to join Jock’s Road near the shelter. The path from here on Jock’s Road is good, if a bit stony underfoot, all the way down into Glen Doll. On entering Glen Doll forest the path was a bit muddy at places before we joined the Forestry Commission road for the last mile to our finish at the car park.
After a short break for an end of walk drink we travelled in our minibus to the Glen Clova Hotel.
Start time 1030 – Finish time 1630 – Breaks 1 hour.
Summary; We were lucky to enjoy good weather throughout this walk with some nice periods of sunshine. In general under foot condition were good with some boggy spots although the path down into Glen Doll is rocky and needs some care. The climb at the end of Glen Callater certainly gets the heart rate up a bit. Map required.
Highs; Just a really enjoyable walk in nice weather with some lovely scenery which was a test for the new walkers in the group.
Lows; Drifting off the planned route but none the less a good day enjoyed by all.
We started the walk at the small parking area at the bridge over the Callater burn at Auchallater. The walk starts on a vehicle track sign posted “Public Path to Clova” which we followed to Lochcallater Lodge.
From Lochcallater Lodge we followed a path along the north side of Loch Callater. At the end of the loch we continued to follow the well used path (Jock’s Road) on the north side of the burn to Glen Callater. As we neared the start of the climb the path became less clear and our group fragmented using several different paths to the top. On regrouping at the top we had drifted off our planned route and were on the south side of Tolmount. We decided at this point not to go back to Crow Craigies to pick up Jock’s Road but continued instead up onto Tom Buidhe then towards Meikle Kilrannoch before making our way down the hillside to join Jock’s Road near the shelter. The path from here on Jock’s Road is good, if a bit stony underfoot, all the way down into Glen Doll. On entering Glen Doll forest the path was a bit muddy at places before we joined the Forestry Commission road for the last mile to our finish at the car park.
After a short break for an end of walk drink we travelled in our minibus to the Glen Clova Hotel.
Start time 1030 – Finish time 1630 – Breaks 1 hour.
Summary; We were lucky to enjoy good weather throughout this walk with some nice periods of sunshine. In general under foot condition were good with some boggy spots although the path down into Glen Doll is rocky and needs some care. The climb at the end of Glen Callater certainly gets the heart rate up a bit. Map required.
Highs; Just a really enjoyable walk in nice weather with some lovely scenery which was a test for the new walkers in the group.
Lows; Drifting off the planned route but none the less a good day enjoyed by all.
