West Highland Way: Trailblazer Ochils and Campsie Fells

 Campsie Fells

 Gargunnock Hills
West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way: Footprint Map
 

Photographs of a circular ascent of Carleatheran

 in the Gargunnock Hills

to the north of the Campsie Fells

On route there are views of the Highlands

including 
Ben Lomond, Ben More

and Ben Vorlich

Ballochleam Farm at the start of the ascent

Ballochleam Farm

 at the start of ascent




Escarpment of the Gargunnock Hills from Ballochleam Farm

Escarpment of the Gargunnock Hills

 from Ballochleam Farm






The Gargunnock Hills

The Gargunnock Hills





Ballochleam Farm and Ben Lomond

Ballochleam Farm

 and Ben Lomond





The Eastern Side of Stronend - the highest point of the Fintry Hills

The Eastern Side of Stronend

 - the highest point ( 511m ) of the Fintry Hills

 on ascent to
Spout of Ballochleam



Ben Lomond on ascent to Spout of Ballochleam






Kippen Village and Lake of Menteith from top of plateau

Kippen Village

and Lake of Menteith

from top of plateau



Meikle Bin in the Campsie Fells in winter

 Approach to Carleatheran ( 1591ft, 485m )



Ben Lomond from summit of Carleatheran

Ben Lomond 

from summit of Carleatheran





Ben Vorlich from summit of Carleatheran

Ben Vorlich  

from summit of Carleatheran





Ochill Hills above Stirling from summit of Carleatheran

Ochill Hills above Stirling

from summit of Carleatheran





Gargunnock beneath Gargunnock Hills

Gargunnock beneath Gargunnock Hills

Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich in background




Waterfall above Gargunnock

Downies Loup in Gargunnock Hills

above Gargunnock





Meikle Bin in the Campsie Fells from summit of Carleatheran

Meikle Bin in the Campsie Fells

from summit of Carleatheran





Fintry Village beneath the Campsie Fells from Stronend






Stronend in the Fintry Hills

Stronend in the Fintry Hills





Map of Gargunnock Hills and Carleatheran

Map of Gargunnock Hills

and Carleatheran



Map of the Gargunnock Hills

Map of the Gargunnock Hills




Map of Gargunnock Hills and Carleatheran

Map of Gargunnock Hills

and Carleatheran



GARGUNNOCK HILLS - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:


Location: Gargunnock, near Stirling
Map: OS Landranger 65 ( GR868919 )
Distance: 12.5miles ( 20km )
Time: 5 hours
Terrain: tracks and paths

Despite its length, this walk isn't too taxing since most of the route is on tracks. These are less well defined in the first half of the walk than the second, allowing you to concentrate on the route when you're fresh, and relax into "auto pilot" as you tire.
Beyond the Campsie Fells the high ground continues north-east to Stirling with a variety of hill names despite there being few defining features to clearly separate the areas. The Fintry Hills lie at the western end above the village of Fintry and the Touch Hills at the eastern end above the Georgian mansion, Touch House, while the Gargunnock Hills fill the central area over Gargunnock village and the Forth plain.
Carleatheran is the highest point in the Gargunnock Hills and while it's not the highest point overall ( that is Stronend above Fintry ) it's probably the finer of the two with views north to the highland giants and east to Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and the Ochils.
The route starts from the minor road running along the northern flanks of the range. A small parking area can he found on the right at a bridge and stone pillared entrance about 300m beyond the track to Ballochleam.
Walk back to Ballochleam, follow the track past the farm and keep right to ascend the front of the escarpment to the lip and the Spout of Ballochleam. Continue for about 350m past a grassy track on the left to a second one and follow this towards Lees Hill.
Beyond Lees Hill the track divides but joins again later ( the right-hand option is possibly better ), before descending to cross the burn marked on the OS map. The track fades in and out a bit but sticks to the high ground heading for the summit wall and trig point.
From the top, head generally south-west aiming for the high ground, in about 550m you gain a gravel track.
Follow this past a bothy, shooting butts and a communications aerial before descending to join the main track in the glen at sheep pens.
Turn right and follow the track past old railway wagons used as sheep shelters to the Spout of Ballochleam and Ballochleam.




Route Map of Gargunnock Hills and Carleatheran

Route Map of Gargunnock Hills

and Carleatheran




Map of Gargunnock Hills

Map of Gargunnock Hills

 Gargunnock Hills Gallery Photo Gallery :: Campsie Fells Gallery Photo Gallery

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Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


West Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road MapGlasgow Popular Hills - Map





  

Ochils and Campsie Fells

Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way Wet Highland Way - Official Guide

Munro Almanac The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Isle of Skye The Isle of Arran Wilderness Walks Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

More Wilderness Walks 50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay Skye - W.A.PoucherMagic of the Munros Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayA Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend









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