Day 3 - Rowardennan to Inverarnan (13.09 miles)

Well we thought yesterday was tough...... Today was ridiculous! They have wild mountain goats living on this stretch because no sensible ordinary goat would live here!

Up and down like a sweaty yo-yo! It was hot and humid until the sun cam out and then it was roasting. In the vernacular "Ma face is skelpin aff me."

Heading past the youth hostel heading for the shoreline walk.

We choose the marked route  following the 4WD track which rises steadily up into the trees above the loch towards and passing Ptarmigan Lodge. 

The viewpoint overlooking the loch. No sight or smell of the feral wild goats in the woods yet!

Stopped for lunch here and wondered what we had got ourselves into.

Here my geography fails me slightly. Is this a view over to the and the Arrochar 'Alps'? Is it Ben Vorlich to the right?

At last over the footbridge over the waterfall at Inversnaid to reach the big hotel.

At the Inversnaid hotel "Walkers" are shown into a room that is in some state of disrepair and disarray. The burst couch was just how we were beginning to feel and this led us to the Scrabble Set where "Still Game met the Burst Couch."

Views across to the West Bank of Loch Lomond from Inversnaid

As we leave Inversnaid it gets really tough along the shoreline. Here lots and lots of little wiggles and ups-and-downs. We didn't bother going down to Rob Roy's Cave. (it's just a dank hole among a pile of huge rocks). 

Eventually Pass we reach the meadow at Pollochro, where the path then gets a bit rougher for a while, and a while later climb over a headland backing a little bay to reach Doune bothy.

Doune bothy

On a bit further to join the Ardlui ferry to get over to our bed for the night at the Ardlui hotel.

Views back down the Loch from Ardlui Marina

Day 3 done! Total distance covered - 40.96 miles.

Tomorrow... Day 4. Ardlui to Inverarnon to Bridge of Orchy 21 miles!

Day 2 Monday 02/09/13 - Drymen to Rowardennan (15.36 miles)

Day two and we look forward with confidence to the ascent of Conic Hill. We've done this before in our training and then it was a breeze. We had not though done 12 miles the previous day. Conic Hill is right on the Highland Boundary Fault so it is really the Way's entry to the mountains beyond.

 The walk uphill from where the Way leaves just outside Drymen takes you through the Garadhban Forest where the Forestry Commission have been clearing many of the trees so its a bit desolate at times but the clearing has enables you to get first views down to Loch Lomond.

Walking towards Conic Hill.

Looking back towards Dumgoyne

Starting to see the trail up and over Conic Hill. Beyond the woodland boundary the Way enters open pastures with a view towards Loch Lomond. 

We cross a wee bridge over the Burn of Mar and make the steady climb onto Conic Hill. This was much harder than it was when we did it in training, perhaps because we had walked 12 miles yesterday and had a few beers in The Clachan in Drymen.

Conic Hill has fabulous views over Loch Lomond, and back over the lowlands but today it was a bit drizzly and misty. The descent from the top is a leg shaking stretch and its quite difficult not to start running it because you can't stop yourself. But I was glad not to be going the other way at this point!

Down through a small wood just behind Balmaha

The harbour at Balmaha. We stopped at the Oak Tree for a drink (soft drink!) before we headed for the second stage today. Rejoining the Way as it cuts steeply uphill over the little headland of Craigie Fort. 

Views of the back of Conic Hill. The weather has changed again and at this point it was sunny and hot.

The Way on this stage has a mixture of road and wooded sections. Into Criteoch. It's really tough after the morning's walk as it goes up and down quite a lot and there is a couple of notable climbs.

Wee rain shower when we hit Cashel so Jack and Victor had a seat on a great seat under a tree for a bit of shelter.

Eventually after a long muddy descent we rejoin the road into Rowardennan and head for the bar for a beer.

Of course where else would Jack and Victor drink? 'The Clansman' of course! We are heading back home again today and Anne and Charlie pick us up. Day 2 complete! 

Total distance covered: 27.87 miles

Tomorrow Day 3 - Rowardennan to Inverarnan.