Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches - Day 1
Distance 46.4km Climb 811m
Saturday 3rd May 2014
After last years Nijmegen March at the earliest opportunity my name was down for this years Nijmegen March. As always part of the march is that you need to pass a qualifying march, as last year we were at Garelochhead to join in the Scottish Garelochhead 2 Day Marches.
The weather was nice and clear when we started. There was no band to play us out this year which was a little disappointing. As last years some groups were singing and some had there own flutes and drums all marching along happily enjoying the time.
The route was the same as last year. From the camp gates we crossed onto the main road and turned left and marched up the hill, travelling in a North/North Westerly direction. Just under a km from the start the route took us past a roundabout and we started down hill slightly. Police on motorbikes kept the roads clear and directed traffic around the groups.
A further 2km on we arrived at another roundabout and took the right turn. Walking in a more Northerly direction.
The route now still heading North took us down hill towards Loch Long.
We followed along the edge of Loch Long for approx. the next 5.5km, before the route turned right and we started walking up hill. A very steep hill.
At the top we reached the first rest stop, after a short rest to rub feet and take on water we formed up and marching off to the sound of a few cheers and hand clapping. We were now heading in an Easterly direction along Glen Douglas. The route was fairly flat with a little bit of up and down.
Approx. 7km from the rest stop we started walking down hill and caught our first glimpses of Loch Lomond. There was still snow on Ben Lomond and you could see it below the cloud.
The route then took us down a fairly steep bank and we passed through what appeared to be a garden before we crossed to a path that ran next to Loch Lomond.
We headed South beside the Loch towards Luss which was approx. a further 5km down the loch side. At Luss we were greeted with a few cheers and stopped for lunch, our second rest stop.
Once we had fed and completed our admin we formed up and marched off, we were still heading South, still next to the loch. We followed the loch for approx a further 5km and passed the Loch Lomond golf course.
The route then returned to the main road. After a short while we came across the police escort again who were stopping the traffic to allow the groups to cross the road onto the Glen Fruin Haul Road, East.
As soon as you start on the Glen Fruin Haul Road the route is up, up and then up again. We passed another couple of groups and settled into a nice steady pace and soon reached the last rest stop of the day.
After a quick stop we formed up and marched off again. The route was mainly level now with a few parts that were up and down.
The route dropped down back to the roundabout we had passed earlier in the day. There was just less than a km to go. It was down hill now then a right turn for a small climb up to the camp gates, where we were greeted with cheers and hand clapping.
This was the end of day 1, we had had been told the distance was nearly 29 miles, 46.4km. Time for dinner and prepare for the next day.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Garelochhead Scottish 2 Days Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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