Lochnagar

Alarm goes, time to get up, breakfast, quick coffee, pack sandwiches, fill water bladders, grab all pre-packed stuff. In the car and we’re off to the Loch Muick car park. Parked, paid the fee, quick pee and we’re off.

Straight on for Loch Muick, but we hang a right, heading for a summit in the sun. Looks to be clear all day, looking forward to finally reaching the summit! Last time we tried, we got snowed/iced off, also we weren’t dressed for the unexpected cold.

When you’re out the other side of the forest you will stay exposed for the rest of the hike, bear that in mind! The initial hike is a steady incline, although the beating sun did not help our already warming bodies.

When you reac a cairn in the main path, it’s time to take the path on the left, which descends slightly, but now you have a clear view of the second part of the climb.

This part of the climb does get steeper on a thinner, rockier path, although there are sections of rocky steps to help.

You’ll eventually reach a flat rocky area where you will finally be able to peek over and see the Loch Lochnagar itself. While in the spot, you have the hill Meikle Pap to your right, standing at 980m, while it does reach ‘Munro’ height threshold (914.4m), it is not classed as a Munro.

However to the left of you, you’ll witness an ascent through lots of boulders. Although steep, the boulders are sturdy, and the way up is not clearly marked but you can see the obvious route.

“Well, better just get on with it” we thought. Sun still beating down on us, it was a sweaty hike up.

When at the top of this ascent, with the Lochnagar summit still in view, the rest of the path was mostly clear. Just had to pass the top ‘Cuidhe Crom’ on the left, then descend and reascend up and pass ‘Cac Carn Mor’ on the right.

When we passed ‘Cac Carn Mor’ the Lochnagar summit was finally within reaching distance.

We climbed the summit; ‘Cac Carn Beag’, tapped the tri point took in the views and found a seat for lunch. After that I got my drone up and took some pictures of Loch Nan Eun just to the West of the summit, which has ‘Carn ‘a Choire Bhoideach’ overlooking it.

Time to start the descent, not before we walked over to the edge for another view of the full Loch Lochnagar. Reflections of the clouds on the surface made for a fairly breathtaking view.

Back we went, down the same path we used to reach the summit. Stopping for new views of the Loch itself and surrounding area.

When we descended past the flat rocky area after the boulders, the view of the Loch was gone and our heads were firmly on the hike back to the car park.

The sun did not let up the whole day and I ran out of water from my backpack bladder, luckily Julia still had plenty left! At this point my feet were sore, with my toes rubbing against the inside of my boots, which usually happens each descent off a hill, wow, what a moany bastard.

Got to the car, change of socks and shoes and away home.

I feel we were lucky to have such clear sunny weather all day, a rarity in Scotland!