The start point is on the south of Loch Earn where one-line road with passing points leads and give you chills. Firstly, because it is very narrow, and you always wonder what would happen if there is a car driving into you - would you have enough space to pass each other? And secondly because the road goes along Loch Earn and looks stunning with all those trees on both sides of the road and branches hanging to the middle. Almost at the end of this road was our start point – there was no a proper car park, but everybody parks along the road.
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| Loch Earn |
When Elf, I and our Labrador Logan arrived there, it was 9 in the morning - the loch looked amazing, noiseless and smooth and it was very quiet there – no sounds of civilisation but rustle of wind in trees and bleating of sheep. The whole scenery looked so perfect and beautiful that even those few hikers who were there talked quietly and respectfully as they didn’t want to disturb this silence. The weather was beautiful and perfect for hiking – it was a bit chilly but sunny and the air was crisp and fresh with this wonderful scent of wet trees and leaves. After sorting out our gear our wee adventure started. The first few miles we walked in perfect sunshine admiring the nature: mountains, streams and trees. Logan was sniffing around, and shooting looks at the sheep who lurked him with their bleating.
First part of the route was easy and pleasurable although from the very beginning we walked up the hills; Loch Earn was behind us and all mountains in front of us. After about an hour hiking we sat down just to admire the nature and the view was wonderful – Loch Earn was shining in the sun and all the hills standing there silently as you can see on the photos.
After a short break we started walking again up the hills till we reached Ben Vorlich. The view from the top was incredible nevertheless it seemed that Ben Vorlich is not that high - 985m (3,323ft).
The top of Ben Volrich
After taking photos we continued our walk towards Stuc a’Chroin and we realised after a good amount of time we chose the more difficult path with huge rocks we had to walk on. The trail was very thin and narrow and only slightly visible, so we had to be very careful otherwise we could get lost very easily. When we conquered this part our path leaded us on very steep hill when even Logan struggled to walk. The mountain was so steep that I experienced dizziness every time I looked down and so I gained a new respect for Munros and understood again that level of difficulties matters more than a height.
Rocky path
When we finally got to the top our legs were trembling, but the joy of new experience was amazing. We stood there for a while admiring amazing views and then we walked down the hill where we stopped again listening to the silence which surrounded us. Everything was still and quiet and just perfect. We could feel presence of God there.
The rest of the walk towards Stuc a’Chroin was easy and it would probably be pleasant if not a drastic change of the weather. Basically, rain and wind picked up and it got cold as well but it didn’t spoil our moods. As we got close to the pick we met a group of people in retirement age who we talked a bit. I always admire spirit of the older generation seeing them doing things like this.
The top of Stuc 'Chroin
View from Stuc a'Chroin
Unfortunately, due to thick fog the view of the mountains was no so good and so we didn’t stay there very long, and we started our way back to the car. The trail down was steep but also slippery, but we left the fog high up there and we had much better view of the nature. As we walked there we crossed so many streams and the whole ground was very buggy and of course an accident had to happen. Due to my bad judgment I put my foot on the ground I thought it would be firm but saggy and full of mud and so my whole leg was swallowed by the mud and I fallen down. As soon as it happened Elf was down on the ground laughing hard at me.
The rest of the trio was nice and pleasant and with not problem at all. We were tired but happy.
And this is a terrain map of our whole trail.
