Stob an Aonaich Mhoir
26 August 2007
This Corbett is awkwardly placed as it is protected on the west by
Loch Ericht and on the north and east by wild pathless moorland.
However a tarred road runs from Bridge of Ericht to Corrievarkie Lodge
on the east shore of Loch Ericht, a distance of around 12 miles.
I elected to climb this mountain as I still had my mountain bike in my
car and as it was a Sunday there would be no problems with stalking.
Reaching the start of the walk at Bridge of Ericht, where there are a
few habitations, involved a drive along the single track road on the
north side of Loch Rannoch from Kinloch Rannoch. There are very few
parking areas in the vicinity of the start.
A large locked gate restricted access to the Corrievarkie road but
there is a small wicket gate on its east side. Once beyond this gate
the cycling commenced, well to be honest a lot of pushing the cycle
was involved, as I am not a cyclist, I wish I had been this day.
After around eighty minutes I arrived at the highest point on the road
at 630 metres where I gladly dumped my cycle and took a break.
Thereafter it was a climb of around forty minutes, over some wet and
boggy terrain, to the summit cairn of Stob an Aonaich Mhoir with views
up and down Loch Ericht and across to Ben Alder. There was a cool
breeze blowing so after taking in the views and a few photographs I
returned to my cycle.
The cycle back to Bridge of Ericht was wonderful, freewheeling a lot
of the way with a few pot holes to lookout for and lower down startled
sheep who decided to run across the road in front of me. In the end
pushing the bike to the high point was probably well worth it
especially with the time saved on the return route.
Time taken - 4.25 hours including 2.25hrs. cycling.
Distance - 27 kilometres.
Height climbed - 870 metres.
Photos taken on walk can be seen here:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/gallery07/stob_an_aonaich_mhoir_aug07/index.htm
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com