Stuc Odhar

This is one of the walks originating from the Glen Finglas Visitor Centre car park.  (Follow the link for more information.)

Initially it follows the same route as the Lendrick Hill and Dam walk. (Follow the link to read about that route)

You can also begin from the Little Druim car park, but I think starting at the Glen Finglas car park gives more options.

The walk crosses some very boggy ground, and is a sure way to find out if your waterproof boots are really waterproof!

There is an option to leave the waymarked trail and climb to the summit of Stuc Odhar (638m).

It has fine views, but whether these can make up for the very squelchy route is debatable.

Stuc Odhar - Part 1

Start point is the Glen Finglas Visitor Centre car park - same as The Lendrick Hill & Dam Walk

Cross over the bridge, head to the left and begin climbing up through the trees.

Watch out for a path heading off to the right, marked with an arrow and a T.  This is part of the Great Trossachs Path.

Turn off the uphill track and follow this track to the right.

Part 2

Carry along the path until you come to another arrow and a path on the left heading up the hill.

This is where you meet the track from the Little Druim car park.

Head up the hill, and the path very soon starts to become a bit soggy underfoot.

Soon you are rewarded with fine views over Loch Venachar, and as you climb higher, Loch Drunkie also starts to appear.

Part 3

Now follow the way markers across the moorland.

The ground is boggy, and if your boots are not waterproof, you will soon know about it.

Finally you meet a deer fence.

If you want to climb to the summit of Stuc Odhar, use the stile to cross the fence.

There is no path as such to the summit, it is just a case of picking the best way you can up the steep heather clad slopes.

Sorry, there are no pictures of the summit.  I just reached it, and turned round to see a wall of rain heading towards me. (see photo)

So very quickly the camera was put away and the waterproofs donned before heading back down to the stile to continue the walk.

Part 4

From the stile, keep following the way markers and and eventually Glen Finglas reservoir comes into sight.

The path, such as it is, heads down hill and emerges onto a road beside the reservoir.  There is a bench and table there which made a nice spot to have lunch - as the rain had stopped.

To return, head left along the tarmac road.

When you reach a sign for Brig O'Turk, you can either:

• Carry on down the road and reach the car park via the woodland path as described in The Lendrick Hill & Dam Walk
• Or, turn left and take the path up the hill - which will take you back via Lendrick Hill - you will eventually reach the point where you turned off on the Great Trossachs Path