Grade

Saturday

2nd

May

B+

Beinn a'Bhuiridh ( Hill of the roaring)

Conspicuous from the East, this hill lies south of the Dalmally horseshoe. Following a track initially, the route climbs up Coire Ghlais to the col before climbing steeply south to the summit. The descent follows the long ridge East to descend NE steeply down the nose to meet the outward track.

Terrain: Mainly trackless, soft grassy moorland, rock strewn ridges and steep grassy slopes, craggy in parts.

Distance: 11 km, duration 6½ hrs, total ascent 875m to max. ht 897m.

Start point: Roadside parking just up the B8077 where it meets the A85 on a left hand bend 2 miles beyond Dalmally.

OS Map Landranger 50, Explorer 377, Grid ref: NN 132285

0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER for a 1½ hour drive

Sunday

3rd

May

C+  

Lairig Arnan

An attractive walk along this high glen with dramatic views enroute. After 1km on road we access a good track which mounts steadily to 350m onto the southern slopes of Troisgeach hill at water control unit.

Terrain: Road and track.

Distance: 13 km, duration 5 hrs, total ascent 220m to max ht. 350m.

Start point: Drovers Inn A82 Inverarnan.

OS Map 56 / Explorer 364, Grid ref: NN 318185.

Sunday

10th

May

C

Balmaha Millenium Forest and Inchcailloch

After a short ramble along the Balmaha forest path, the ferry will be taken to Inchcailloch. The island will be explored at a leisurely pace, where hopefully the bluebells will be in bloom.

Terrain: All track and path with the occasional modest short gradient to climb.

Distance: 7 km, duration 3½ hrs, total ascent m to max. ht. 85 m.

Start point: Large car park at Balmaha. Ferry costs £5. Book by 7th May.

OS Map 56 / Explorer 347, Grid ref: NS 421909.

Saturday

16th

May

B+

Beinn Mhor and Clach Bheinn (Big Hill and Hill of the stones)

Both hills are located on the west side of Loch Fyne. Beinn Mhor is the highest hill in Cowal. The walk starts on forest roads by Lock Eck and continues to Bernice Farm, then north up Bernice Glen via a forest path to foot of NE ridge of Beinn Mhor. Climb steep ridge to the summit. Follow ridge to Clach Bheinn then descend back to loch-side and return to start point.

Terrain: Forest roads, paths and open hillside.

Distance: 14 km, duration 6 hrs, total ascent 730 m to max. ht. 741 m.

Start point: Overflow car park, Benmore Botanical Gardens.

OS Map 56 / Explorer 363, Grid ref: NS 144854.

0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER

Sunday

17th

May

C  

Gleniffer Braes, Paisley

From Robertson Park walk on grassy path to Glennifer Burn. Head downhill on road and path to a waterfall and then a short climb to Tannahill Walkway. Return on rough paths over open ground to the start.

Terrain: Paths, road and moorland, muddy in places .

Distance: 10 km, duration 4 hrs, total ascent around 180m to max ht. 170m.

Start point: Robertson Park in Gleniffer Braes Country Park, Paisley .

OS Map 64 / Explorer 342, Grid ref: NS 455605.

Sunday

24th

May

C+ /B  

Extended Cat Craig loop

From the Rest and be Thankful car park, walk down the Old Military Road and cross Croe Water by a bridge to join a forest track. At the end of the track cross a piece of rough open ground, cross a burn and climb up a short distance by a fence to join the forest road to Ardgartan. From there start on the Cat Craig Loop, which is a mixture of forest track and road and return to the car park along a high forest road.

Terrain: Mainly metalled road and forest track .

Distance: 18½ km, duration 6 hrs, total ascent 470m to max ht. 246m.

Start point: Rest and be Thankful car park .

OS Map 56 / Explorer 363,4, Grid ref: NN 230073.

Saturday

30th

May

C+  

Great Cumbrae circular

From the ferry make for the sports centre and then take track to viewpoint and then the road to Millport. Return along road back to ferry on east side of island.

Terrain: Quite a lot of tarmac .

Distance: 13 km, duration 4½ hrs, total ascent minimal to max ht. 127m.

Start point: Largs Ferry car park £2 .

OS Map 63 / Explorer 341, Grid ref: NS 202592.

0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER for a 1½ hour drive

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