Glas Bheinn
After many visit to Kinlochleven over the years to climb the numerous Munros and Corbetts that are accessible from this small town, Glas Bheinn was the final hill on my list of hills to climb. My visit in August 2019 fortunately was on a reasonably good day in a month of poor weather.
Leaving Kinlochleven there's a good path to start with which heads towards the Grey Mare's waterfall but...
....the one to the hills - signposted Loch Eilde Mor is much rougher..
...especially as it ascends through the woods on a seriously eroded track.
Things improve once out of the trees...
...and the open moor is reached.
Looking back to Kinlochleven and Loch Leven this view never loses its appeal for me. To the left of the loch are the slopes of Garbh Beinn, whilst to the right is Mam na Gualainn: both are Corbetts. The pointed Pap of Glencoe can be seen in the distance.
Looking north up Coire na Ba with the Munros Am Bodach, Stob Coire a'Chairn, An Gearanach and Na Gruagaichean (from left to right).
Click on the photo for a larger image and then click on this to see the full size panorama.
The path now heads across the moorland to reach the vehicle track seen in the distance.
Once on the track this is followed eastwards....
....until it starts to drop to Loch Eilde Mor. Across the loch is Glas Bheinn.
A cairn marks the beginning of a footpath drops down towards the loch....
...and joins another vehicle track heading towards...
...the outflow from the loch and the new bridge that gives access to the south side of the loch.
There's a good stalkers' path along the loch.
A 180 degree panorama of Loch Eilde Mor which is almost two miles long.
Click on the photo for a larger image and then click on this to see the full size panorama.
After a short distance the path turns to the south east and begins to climb .
Looking back over the loch the two Easain Munros above Loch Trieg come into view.
The path climbs gently away from the loch and is a delight to walk on.
Across the loch is Sgurr Eilde Mor with the stream down from the corrie in spate.
The path climbs steadily towards Meall na Cruaidhe...
....and the views to the south open up with the dam of the Blackwater Reservoir...
...and the cliffs of Buachaille Etive Mor at the head of Glen Coe.
The path drops down to a ford...
.....and shortly after there is a path junction with the stalkers' path heading to the right and the hikers' path towards Glas Bheinn going straight on.
I followed this faint path across the hillside heading NNE but inevitably it eventually disappeared.
After about two kilometres the summit cairn of Glas Bheinn comes into view....
...with a small pool just below the summit. The walk from Kinlochleven had taken just under four hours.
The cairn is balanced on the edge of a rocky outcrop . Beyond is Loch Trieg.
Zoomed in panorama (from left to right) of Stob Coire Easain, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin, Loch Trieg with the trees line along the West Highland Railway and under the clouds Stob Coire Sgriodain.
Click on the photo for a larger image and then click on this to see the full size panorama.
Unfortunately, low clouds prevented really good views but this is the east end of the Blackwater Reservoir....
...and this panorama is looking towards the White Corries and Loch Trieg.
Click on the photo for a larger image and then click on this to see the full size panorama.
On the way downhill visibility improved - this is Buachaille Etive Mor...
The clouds over the Grey Corries had lifted to reveal the Munros of Stob Coire an Laoigh, Stob a'Choire Leith and Stob Choire Claurigh
Back on the stalkers' path it's a gentle saunter back to Kinlochleven. The walk had taken seven and a half hours with several breaks.