Kerloch
Date Walked: 31st March 2011
Distance: 7.4 miles (11.5km)
Actual Ascent: 1558ft (475m)
Time Taken: 3.5 hours
Decided to do a little work today as the rain fell steadily but continuously over Banchory, but then, at lunch time it stopped and a little blue sky appeared. I had previously noted Kerloch as a good 'local' so made the flask and got after it.
Found a nice little 'one car' parking spot at the start of a track at NO 699 917 signposted as 'footpath to glenbervie
In no time at all I was booted up and heading down the winding track toward Kerloch
Looks like erosion has taken its toll on the track in places
At a gate into the plantation the erosion is clear and I can't help but think a covering of snow could leave you 'surprised' here
before entering the plantation a look back toward Scolty
The path climbs steadily through the trees and at one point becomes toad central
After a while the track opens out to show a view over deeside
at this point you are faced with a choice, I took the right hand path up into the trees
A look back before heading onwards and upwards
The pathway is now quite steep and covered in loose scree
As I stop to look back (not to take a breath) ; ) it is a great view down to deeside
A nice hairpin leads out of the trees and into open heather
Once above the tree line the view is fantastic
and it is just a little way now to the summit
another hairpin turn and we'll be up on top
a little flat provides breathing space before the final ascent
Finally the cairn is visible just a few metres ahead
The cairn and trig point are a welcome sight but the wind that hit me as I stood on the summit was far less welcome
with the whole of deeside visible, it is a great view from the trig
looking back toward the cairn I can just make out the north sea away on the horizon
I needed to rest on here as it was a bit of a pull up through the trees ; )
the cairn shelter provided a nice little spot out of the strong wind for a cuppa and a snack
as it was only a short walk I decided to go with a little hag hopping on the way down via little kerloch
there were some sitcky moments but not too many
from little kerloch I turned north toward melmannoch
before reaching the small hill I turned north east and headed over to a small waterfall
I then continued on that route toward the coves of curren
where a bit of 'good going' was found between the rocks
I then dropped down to the meadow below where I saw my first lamb of the spring time
A last look back at the three hills
then it was back on the track I started on with just a mile to go to the car.
A nice local 'stolen' hike that would suit Sarah pretty well.... if I can ever get her out in the hills again