Читать книгу Not the West Highland Way. Diversions over mountains, smaller hills or high passes for 8 of the WH Way's 9 stages онлайн

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Ascending the south ridge of Ben Lomond

At 768m the ridge levels off. At this small shoulder, turn left, southwest. Route 3, the Ben Lomond crossing, turns down to the right here.

The fairly small but clear path winds along the Ptarmigan ridge, bending to the left as it gently descends. At about 600m altitude, the path eases down onto the right flank above Loch Lomond. It slants down to a fence gate, then passes below the Sput Ban waterfall. With the stream on its left, it heads directly downhill to join the track of the WH Way. Turn left for 800 metres, past the youth hostel, to the Rowardennan car park.

3 Hill Crossing: Ben Lomond to Inversnaid

Start Rowardennan car park Finish Inversnaid Distance 18km (11 miles) Ascent 1200m (3900ft) Approximate time 7hr Maximum altitude Ben Lomond 974m Terrain Smooth path up; small rocky ridge path down; grassy ridges and moorland, rough moorland, and a track

This route contrasts wild mountain ground that is part of a standard Munro-bagger’s route with wild mountain ground that isn’t. One of the widest and busiest paths in Scotland takes you up Ben Lomond. But on the other side is a small rugged ridge that’s far less trodden, followed by a green ridge and some brown moorland that aren’t trodden at all. On the complete crossing of Ben Lomond you’ll discover that there are more interesting – there are even more interesting routes than up to the summit from the nearest car park as quickly as possible.