Short, steep, but very sweet.

Ben A’an

Short and steep but very sweet,

Ben A’an you gave the lot,

A mini mountain you may be,

but many things you brought.

Your path it climbs, steep and stern,

beside a trickling burn,

your trees surrounding as I walk,

with flowers and fronds of fern.

You smile upon us as we hike,

calling us to climb,

a prettier hill I’ve yet to find,

Ben A’an I made you mine.

This beautiful little hill, was a cracker! It was steep from the instant i crossed the road from the car park, the summit couldn’t be seen at that point because of the beautiful trees, but the steepness of the path gave a good indication of what was to come. It’s a much shorter hike than I’ve done of late though, so I was looking forward to it. I really needed my poles today, as some of the stone steps were extremely high, for those older or vertically challenged amongst us.

There is some reprieve of flattish walking after the first initial steep section and then you head up into the trees; the ground, stones and foliage all rising together. The water can be heard as you walk and it made it a really magical walk, I wanted to stop more often to admire the amazing view of Loch Achray, but the mighty midges were out in force today. There was not a breath of wind and the water below spread out like a spectacular mirror, that was inviting me to swim, I had come prepared! The information board at the foot of the hill in the car park said this was a 2.5 mile round trip and just over 1500 feet, that’s quite an incline!! I thought it might take me an hour and a half, but I did it in just over an hour, maybe it was those bitey beasts chasing me on. It was a beautiful clear day and as I reached the top the views were staggering, Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, spread out in all their glory and coated in gentle low misty clouds. Absolutely stunning and well worth the hot steep climb and the layer of midge coating my face.

The walk down was relatively smooth, I did need to watch my footing and make sure poles were planted in fits ground and not on stone, but I was at the bottom within fifty minutes and heading to the loch, to wash off any unwanted little hitch hikers.

It was a boggy walk to the edge of the loch, but a little beach area was just big enough for me to change and wade in. The water was so still, and clear and it soothed gently as I began to swim. Water temperature pretty good, about 16c, very refreshing and just what I needed. There was no other swimmers, just a few fishermen and I imagine early in the morning when the mist is rising and there’s no traffic noise that this is a truly special place. Twenty minutes of swim time and then back to th3 car for my well deserved picnic and tea. A grand day oot and I’d be home before noon, feeling like I’d conquered a small mountain with a huge heart!