I’ll get to that shortly, but let me start with the beginning of the day of day 4 of the West Highland Way.
Since I, along with a few other folks, were staying across Loch Lomond in Ardlui at the lovely Ardlui Inn, I needed to get the “ferry” back over to pick up the trail again. Well, the ferry guy, okay it’s a small boat, doesn’t start until “about nine.” There’s a group of 4 who informed me of this and we were all thinking that we would like to get an earlier start. But there’s no choice here.
Leaving Loch Lomond on a gorgeous start to Day 4
So we headed to the dock a bit before 9am and sure enough it was a bit after 9 before he showed up.
As a result it was close to 9:30 before I officially got going today.
So the first half to two-thirds of the walk is pleasant enough with some nice views. My problem with this section of the West Highland Way is that it is close to the A82, a major 2 lane road and there are a lot of power lines around.
Just north of Loch Lomond — this was a nice area
This was not my favorite area, but this is a nice little section
Once I reached the turn off for Crianlarich…oh wait a minute! Something funny happened before this.
I swear that I came upon 2 people, definitely a guy and maybe a girl but it could have been another guy, having a little fun in the sun. Right on the side of the trail. This was walking through cow and sheep fields. I can’t be 100% sure, but it looked like there might have been a little somethin-somethin going on, if you know what I mean.
I looked away quickly which is why I can’t be certain. But it made me laugh. I thought if these 2 folks were having a little afternoon tryst that it was pretty ballsy of them to do it right in the open.
Only on the West Highland Way!
So after the Crianlarich turn off I thought the walk got much nicer. Sure it climbed a bit then descended a bit. But it was through some lovely forest areas that would open up now and again to views of the gorgeous mountains.
The views not far from the Crianlarich turnoff
Walking through the forest
I came across a big sheep farm — the baby lambs are so damn cute — and had mountain views all around. It was a stunning sight for sure.
This was just after passing the main part of the sheep farm…the views are lovely
I then made my way then through a bit more forest area and along a stream as I made my toward tonight’s stop, Tyndrum.
No fancy room tonight at the Tyndrum Inn. In fact, it’s a tired sort of place but will be fine for a good night’s rest.
This was a far easier day than yesterday.
And while tomorrow is a 19 mile day, I don’t think it’s a particularly difficult. But you never know what you’ll see along the West Highland Way!
