|
Rising between Strathearn and Loch
Tay, Ben Chonzie
- sometimes referred to as Ben-y-Hone - is a solitary Munro but one well worth
seeking out. The route to the top is fairly straight forward and takes you
through some very pleasant open country.
From the car park, follow a track north, signed for Ardtalnaig. This skirts
between open fields to reach a cluster of cottages at Coishavachan a short
distance on. Bear right at a public footpath sign and follow the track along the
front of the buildings to a gate. Go through and the way curves left to lead out
over open country, passing patches of woodland and a small pond on the left.
It rises very gradually, twisting left to cross the Invergeldie Burn and passes
through another gate at this point. From here, the track begins to rise in
earnest, curving right to follow the stream up hill. As you ascend, Ben Chonzie
(pronounced 'ben ee hoan') looms into view over on the right. Further up there's
another gate to go through as you enter a conservation area where efforts are
being made to protect ground nesting birds.
Ignore a grassy track on the left a short way on and follow the main route as
its drops to the right to cross a dry burn, the water drained from it by a
concrete dam above. On the other side, the track curves right over the open
hillside, before cutting back to climb through the heather.
About half a mile on from the dam, you will arrive at a junction of tracks. The
route on your left crosses a small burn and leads through the glen to eventually
reach Ardtalnaig, on the south shore of Loch Tay. Don't take this but carry
straight on up, following the track over the hillside until you reach a cairn
about a mile further up where a path branches off on the left.
The way is a little indistinct in places and can be wet underfoot. As long as
you continue to go up you can't go far wrong. It rises on to a broad shoulder,
dissected by a line of rusty old fence posts. When you reach these, bear left
and follow them north west along the broad ridge. As you go, keep an eye out for
mountain hare - Ben Chonzie is famed for having a healthy population of these
creatures.
The fence line makes a sharp right turn in due course. Continue to follow it
over increasingly stony ground and it will lead you to the top. A large stone
enclosure where you can shelter from the elements marks the summit. Here you can
enjoy views south over Loch Turret to Crieff. To the north, on a clear day, the
Ben Lawers range is visible.
To return to the start, retrace your steps to Coishavachan.
|
WALK FACTS
Distance 9
miles/14.5km.
Map OS Landranger
sheet 52.
Start Coishavachan in Glen
Lednock, four miles north of Comrie. GR: NN 743273.
Parking There is a
small parking area at the start. This can be reached by following the single
track Glen Lednock road from Comrie. Don't obstruct the access track to
Coishavachan.
Grading A route for reasonably experienced
hillwalkers. Dogs
should be on the lead due to sheep grazing and ground nesting birds in a
conservation area.
|