Get Lost Mountaineering

The Stob via the Monachyle Glen

from the Monachyle Mhor Hotel, E of Balquidder

Start/Finish

Visitors' car park at the Monachyle Mhor Hotel on minor road which runs east from Balquidder which, itself, is off the A85 road form Lochearnhead to Crianlarich. If the hotel car park is not available then parking nearby will be very limited. It might be possible to park on the verge at the start of the forestry track if the ground is firm enough. The minor road is narrow and often rough so drive carefully.

Distance/Time

13 km     About 4 – 5 hours

Peaks

The Stob, 753 m, NN 491 231. OS sheets 51 & 57 (both needed).

Introduction

This is a pleasant high moorland walk which offers good views to Stob Binnein, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroinn and other local hills. The west ridge of The Stob is not well defined and would be taxing in mist. This route descends by the route of ascent and care is needed to locate the correct firebreak through the forestry. A more circular route has also been posted which returns down the south ridge. The forestry track section could be cycled which would save about 8 km of walking and about an hour.

Route

(1) From the hotel, walk up the minor road for about 400 m to the start of the track going NE up the Monachyle Glen. Follow this for about 2 km to a bridge over the river. Continue for about another 2 km to the end of the track where there is a notice asking walkers to follow the path along the E side of the river. Follow the path for about 60 m, past a large boulder, to reach the foot of a wide firebreak up which one can see all the way to the top of the forestry. There are a few old fence posts up the firebreak which continue beyond its end. Pick a way up the steep grassy slopes until above the trees. Note the firebreak on the opposite side of the glen which is a good marker for the return. Continue up the steep grassy slopes aiming for a pointed peak above. Just above here is a deer fence which has fallen down in palces so can be crossed easily. From here the ill-defined grassy/heathery ridge goes roughly just N of E. Follow the ridge up. Higher up, a path becomes obvious and this, faint in places, leads all the way to the top passing a lochan then a large peaty area before reaching a medium narrow cairn on an outcrop which is the summit of The Stob, 753 m. A fence is crossed just before the summit and the path seems to go away from the summit here – right when you need to go left.

(2) Retrace the route of ascent. This is not easy in mist when one will have to walk roughly just S of W. Reach the deer fence then pick a way down towards the firebreak. If it is clear then the firebreak across the glen is a good indicator. Unfortunately, there is another firebreak just to the left which has a single silver birch tree at its top. Do not go down this firebreak as it does not reach the glen and one will have to pick a way through mature trees! Look for the one with the fence posts in it. Once down in the glen, follow the track back to the road.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 27^th May, 2015.