Loch Affric & Allt Beithe
The journey up from Dundee yesterday went smoothly and the pod at the Cannich campsite has proved to be excellent value. Clean, with power and heat and very spacious for one person. I had a good sleep last night and had a later start this morning as the café at the campsite was open, today only, from 0900.
Breakfast on board and running gear all squared away, I drove the 10 miles or so into Glen Affric. The weather was mixed, generally overcast with some brighter spells but no forecasted rain.
I arrived at the Loch Affric car park to find a number of vehicles already present. I immediately headed up the small path across the road which leads to the viewpoint. This is where most scenic vistas of Loch Affric are photographed, although normally with a longer lens than the iphone camera can manage!
Nonetheless, I captured a few photos then headed back down to the car for final kit prep before heading off.
My plan was to head west along the north side of Loch Affric. This is a much more technical path than the south side so better to do on fresh legs. Also, the views up the loch from the north side are better in my opinion than they are from the south side. I would then continue on as far as Allt Beithe Youth Hostel (closed for the season) before retracing my steps to the path junction to return on the south side of Loch Affric. All in all, about 17 miles.
I headed off but felt crap for the first few miles. No idea why, I just couldn’t regulate my breathing, so I kept a very modest pace and power hiked the little hills that presented themselves. To be honest, I think I could still feel some leg fatigue from the D33 which was only seven days ago after all.
Eventually I managed to achieve a rhythm and started to enjoy the run. The rocky path needed constant focus and there was a fair amount of bog dodging, despite my decision to wear waterproof socks for the occasion.
As I made my way along the north side of the loch, the path and weather changed constantly which provided a very mixed experience.
Unfortunately, the cloud base was too low to see the tops of Mam Sodhail and Carn Eige, towering above and to the right.
After about six miles, I reached the path junction and turned right to head onto the Affric Kintail Way for the out and back to Allt Beithe. The weather remained moody and the path twisted and undulated to provide interest as the miles ticked by.
It was enjoyable running and although I knew the distance at which the Youth Hostel should appear, it was only in the last few hundred meters that it eventually appeared into view.
What an incredible spot for a youth hostel, modest though it is. There can be few, if any, so remote. I used the shelter of the building to escape the chilly wind whilst I consumed some fluids and calories for the return journey.
The run back seemed quicker than the outbound leg, although probably just my imagination, and before long I was back at the path junction.
After rounding the hill, I dropped down to the bridge crossing at Strawberry Cottage.
The Affric Kintail Way follows the south side of Loch Affric and that would be my route back. It is actually a fairly respectable vehicle track and although there are considerable ups and downs along the track, fairly good running and power hiking overall on ever tiring legs.
I passed a few small groups on this section although I had expected more given this was a Saturday and reliable weather.
My legs were very appreciative of the arrival back at the carpark. I think it was a good distance to choose.
Challenging enough given the amount of technical terrain but not so far as to destroy my legs and ruin the experience.
People generally rave about Glen Affric, some even calling it the most beautiful glen in Scotland. Maybe the weather wasn’t optimal today but grand and scenic as it is, I’m just not sure it merits quite the hype it gets. I think there are finer places in Scotland. For saying that, I’ll probably be bludgeoned to death with a sturdy leather walking boot by an indignant mob of Scots Magazine subscribers. Shit happens.
The weather is best on Monday and Tuesday, the latter looking like a blue-sky day. On that basis, I am going to take a rest day tomorrow. I’ll then plot a shorter route for Monday and then make a final call as to whether or not I will go to altitude on Tuesday. Decisions, decisions. It’s not easy.
