Every so often I try to make the pilgrimage up to the Whangie and Auchineden Hill. The views from the humble summit towards the north are stupendous! And if you're into rocks, and geological oddities, then the Whangie is for you. You can almost feel the glaciers flowing as you stand and take in those mind-bending landscapes.
This time, (I have abandoned the usual route up the Stockiemuir Road because of the madcap speed merchants that use it), I took the rather sedate and car-free route along the West Highland Way which I know well (on the map, the darker blue line). I nicked around the back of Carbeth Loch and Carbeth House out onto the Blanefield Road where you turn left, head past the quaint Carbeth huts and out onto the Stockiemuir Road. This little stretch of road (about 1km to Queen's View Car Park) is not too bad even if it is uphill. Upon arriving at the car park, tether your bike to anything you can (Stirling Council still haven't provided a bike rack!!) and head up the well-worn path to the top of the hill.
You can, if it's dry enough, follow the red-dotted line down the other end and onto the path to the west of Burncrooks Reservoir and then come back to the car park via Auchineden House, but it is marshy and boggy, so expect wet feet if you do. Otherwise, just come down the way you went up.
The Carbeth Huts off the Blanefield Road
Some of the large boulders that pepper the west side of the Whangie & Auchineden Hill
The cairn on the west side of Auchineden Hill, looking north to Loch Lomond and the Highlands
Looking west to the Campsie Fells and Dumgoyne, Dumfoyne, Earl's Seat et al.
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