Beinn Uamha
Beinn Uamha, Trossachs. Section 1C.
Height – 598 metres. Map – OS Landranger 56.
Climbed - 3 July 2011. Time taken – 4.75 hours.
Distance – 12 kilometres. Ascent – 610 metres.
Trip Report Details:
Beinn Uamha is located to the west of Loch Ard Forest in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park with the only road access being through the village of Aberfoyle. On studying the map I thought the best route would be from the north end of Loch Chon as there was a track and a path that would afford me access through part of the forest.
I managed to park on the verge opposite the milepost just north of the forest track and walked the few metres back to the start of this hike. A new path was being constructed here heading north and set back from the public road. The forest track descended to near the farm at Frenich and to the path up the side of a stream.
The path was overgrown with a ditch to cross so I decided to walk further south along the forest track to ascertain if there was a better route through the forest to the foot of Beinn Uamha. The only evidence of any paths were those leading to some old aqueducts so after around a kilometre I gave up and returned to the path beside the stream. This added around forty minutes to my walk, which is included in the above time.
On returning to the stream I crossed the ditch and followed an old vehicle track up the north side of the burn. Initially this was along the edge of a deer fence but it soon came to an end. Further on there was evidence that water had been extracted from the burn although it appeared to me that this practice had ceased. Beyond the water extraction equipment there was little evidence of any path. The conditions underfoot were pretty awful with tussocky ground, bracken, bog and fallen timber to contend with. I did cross the stream a couple of times looking for a better route but here new tress had been planted and lots of old timber lay around, some hidden by the vegetation.
At grid reference NN402064 I reached another vehicle track but it was of no benefit as it headed in the wrong direction. I therefore continued up the side of the stream where several mature trees blocked my way. This meant wandering into the forest as I worked my way round them. I then came to an area where the trees had been forested so there was lots of old cut timber and branches to contend with.
I was pleased to see and reach the fence at the top end of the forest as once across it I was onto the open hillside, with Beinn Uamha ahead of me. The underfoot conditions were slightly improved as there was no cut or fallen timber to contend with but the ground was tussoky with some long heather. Pylons supporting electric cable crossed the hillside and I passed below them before reaching the foot of the hill.
The hillside was quite steep with several crags but they were easily avoided as I climbed through bracken and heather. As height was gained the walking became easier although the flies were a nuisance. I eventually reached the summit cairn with some good views including Ben Lomond and Loch Katrine. I was in the need of rest and some food so sat at the cairn eating my lunch and contemplating the return route which I wasn’t looking forward to.
There was another Sub 2000 Marilyn to the south-east but I had had enough of the underfoot conditions so I returned by the ascent route, missing out the extra section along the forest track.
Photos taken on walk.