Day 83 of the End to End from Garelochhead to Arrochar was a tough day. The weather was much brighter than yesterday so we could see some of the views we couldn’t see yesterday.
So that we could both walk together we took the car to Arrochar station and the train down to Garelochhead. Our plan was to walk back on the Three Lochs Way.
At Arrochar station a local resident explained that the path between the station and the village was closed due to timber being moved. This meant we’d need to take a different, shorter route into the village, but it wasn’t on our map.
Anyway we got started on the 10.06 to Garelochhead. It’s one stop and at the station we were only a short hop from the starting point, the place where the Three Lochs Way Sustrans link path takes off towards the American Road part of the route (as explained in the Three Lochs Way Guide Book).
It was quite steep and there were some squelchy bits. However we were soon on the American Road, as the tarred part of the Three Lochs Way is called. It is also an MOD training area, but the only people training today were us!
There was a lot to see: great views and varied flora and fauna, butterflies, orchids and much more.
The next section is called the Gurkha Bato and was built by Gurkha engineers in 2010.
There followed two footbridges. The first was a bit dodgy so we just held our breath on that one. The second is called the Dave Markland bridge in memory of Warrant Officer Dave Markland who managed the development of the Gurkha Bato but who was KIA in Afghanistan in 2010. We ate our lunch by the second bridge.
The Dave Markland bridge (below)
The track from the bridge was steeply uphill to the next section of the forest track. It was hot and a struggle. The route was taking us a long time and a lot of energy. When we got to the road to Douglas Glen we reassessed the situation and decided to descend to the Loch side road and walk into Arrochar that way. We’d driven on the road yesterday so we had an idea what it was like. It was a good decision. We made better time. Two miles on this section were sponsored: mile 800 by Anne and mile 802 by Renee. Thanks very much for the sponsorship. It was less physically demanding and there were lovely views of Loch Long.
Just before Arrochar, Mansefield Studio was an inviting place for ice cream and a cool drink. Bob then set off to pick up the car from the station and I went back to the hotel.
My overall total is now over 800 miles since Land’s End.
From Psalm 40
God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand, so I could sing God a new song.
I often make up songs when I am walking!
God grant us a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 06.07.2019
Day 83 of the End to End, Garelochhead to Arrochar.