This was my second foray into the Little Hills for navigation practice, and it was much more successful, despite my back going into spasm shortly after leaving the car. Luckily some yoga helped and the pain went away.
As Inveruglas car park was still closed, I decided to park in a layby off the A82, not far from where a railway footbridge is shown on the OS 1:25K map, aiming to head up the eastern flank of the Little Hills. This footbridge turned out to be in an almost derelict condition, and I was probably risking my life by crossing it. The terrain it took me to was very wild and covered in bracken. It was very tough going walking up the steep eastern approach to the Little Hills; much easier when I broke through the forest at about 350m altitude.
The area offers fantastic opportunities for contour navigation, and I had a brilliant day, reaching the summit of the Little Hills East. I took a different descent path, heading south south east down a much less steep shoulder. A really enjoyable day - although I would not want to cross that bridge again!
Area :
Inveraray to Crianlarich (Ben Lui)
From the Arrochar Alps to Ben Lui, this area is home to nine Munros. Half of the peaks in the area are within the boundaries of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, while the others lie to the west. The three summits of The Cobbler (884m) contain some of the best climbing in the Southern Highlands while Ben Lui in winter looks positively Alpine. Access is relatively straightforward from the A83, A82 or A85.
