Hello!

I'm looking to follow a week of climbing with a week of backpacking/hiking in either the Swiss Alps or Scotland. Any suggestions for a 5-7 nights' trip? Scrambling/long distances are ok, but won't be carrying rope or gear. I'd prefer camping though huts are an option. Are there any good trailheads within a day's walk of a bus or train station? Any advice on how to get started would be appreciated (I'm from the US, recently moved to the UK, not so familiar with mountain pursuits in Europe yet)! Thanks!!

Hi,

I think Zodis's suggestion of the http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/ is a good one. It starts from Milngavie to the north of Glasgow (easily reached by train) and goes all the way to Fort William. There are numerous peaks which can de climbed on route if you so wish. These include Ben Lomond, any of the Crainlarich Hills, Beinn Dorain, Black Mount Hills, Glencoe (which I would highly reccommend), the Mamores and of course Ben Nevis itself. There are plenty of these peaks on Summitpost, just go to mountains & rocks at the top of the page, then type in Scotland (sorry if i am telling you stuff you know!). In Glencoe you can wild camp at the back of the http://www.information-britain.co.uk/sh ... ce_ID=2937 which is a quiet climber bar. If you want something a bit livlier then the http://www.clachaig.com/ further into Glencoe would be ideal. There are lots of fantastic peaks in this area to climb such as http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... e-mor.html , http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... -bian.html , http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... agach.html , http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock ... -Beag.html.

There are a lot of different books that will give you information on areas of Scotland you can visit. The best of these probably being books by the Scottish Mountaineering Club which should be available in most local libraries. I have details of reccommended books on most of my mountain & rocks/area & ranges pages which maybe useful too.

I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to reply or PM me and I will try to help where I can.

Best regards
Stephen

ok that didnt work, hmmmmmm..........maybe not press delete next time

the Cairngorms in Scotland would also be a good option. Fairly good network of trails (if the weather is crappy) and cross country (if weather is good and can navigate easier). A few years ago I looked into a route that went in from near Blair Athol and out near Aviemore (never got around to doing it though). Could easily spend a week in there.

Also, Perhaps Jotunheimen NP in Norway? Will let you get a bit higher elevation than Scotland, and more of a 'wilderness' experience than you will find down in the Alps.

Thanks all! Cody, I'm intrigued by the Jotenheimen NP in Norway idea. What hikes have you done there in particular? I've been reading some online trip reports (http://www.gsoto.easynet.co.uk/jotun1.htm) and am really eager to tackle something like this. Looks accessible via bus from Oslo airport, also a perk. Do you think Sept 10-17 time frame would still be decent weather-wise? Thanks again!

I entered on the north end of the park at Spiterstulen, where Galdhøppingen and Glittertind are. Flew into Oslo-Gard, train north to Otta, bus to Lom (old stave church here) and another bus to Spiterstulen. Book your travel in advance if you can, as you can usually get a discount (minipris), also if you're a student. Otherwise a full price train ticket is probably more than a round trip flight from UK. There's also an outdoor store in Otta if you need a good map or stove fuel (not cheap) after flying.

Went up Galdhøppingen as a day hike from Spiterstulen, then spent a few days heading south along the trails, passing lake Gjende and ending up at lake Bygdin. Was there in early August and would only see a handful of people each day (other than when near a hut). There is enough access in/out of the area, and also some ferries on the lakes, that there is a ton of possible hiking options. You wont see (m)any trees, but the landscape is quite spectacular with glaciers and mountains in every direction. Can't comment about weather in Sept; maybe starting to snow up high? Some Scandi's will have to comment on this.

Tent camping is no problem, but finding a place that was (mostly) flat and (mostly) dry can sometimes take a bit of time. I'd usually start looking about an hour before I figured I wanted to end my day, and it would usually take about that much time to find a place, but maybe I'm just picky. Rivers/lakes/waterfalls are everywhere, so water's not a problem at all.

tonyscotland wrote:If your looking for some hill walking, why not head towards The Isle of Skye.

We camp at a small campsite in Morvich, about 1/2 an hour drive from The Isle of Skye.

There are several 3000 feet mountains to hike up, for example the Kintail ridge that takes in 7 mountain tops in a single day or you have the 5 sisters range across the road.

Places to visit in the area like Plockton a wonderful little village with postcard views of surrounding mountains and watch the sail boats arrive into the tiny port.

Many more mountains to hike up in this area and you can drive across to Skye using a toll free bridge, also stop off at a small stunning castle called "Eilean Donan" on your way to Skye. "The movie Highlander was filmed there"

You will have great time in Scotland and also if you go to Swiss or French Alps. I go about 5 times a year to climb there.

Hire a car

Kintail Ridge has two alias's. The one with 7 peaks has 6 munro's and a peak circa 750m. Its a mightly long day however and is formally (I believe) called the South Glen Shiel Ridge?
Link is attached.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/kintail/ ... idge.shtml

Im actually doing this one on Saturday and plan to do the lot, and back to the car in 14 hours in prep for my Himalaya expedition in October.

well done and thanks for the correct info

No probs at all Tony, just that I got confused when my mate suggested this route and a 14 hour day then looked at what I thought was Kintail Ridge to be told it was an 8-10 hr day - I thought my mate had gone soft

The one I originally looked at was the "5 sisters of Kintail" which is much shorter.

Either way, a beautiful place and a great way to see the real Scotland.

To answer the original question of Alps or Scotland, two totally different concepts.

The Alps - very daunting, fickle weather, dangerous at times, fantastic mountains, routes and scenery.

Scotland - fickle weather too (but you wont be hit by an avalanche mind you), less chance being house bound because of the weather, great scenery, and great pubs/people.

Depends what floats your boat I suppose, I like both. This summer its Scotland, last summer it was the Alps.........

The Haute Route is a very nice tour to walk, passing through a magnificent scenery from Chamonix and Zermatt, which are both easy towns do get to by public transport. The Haute Route can take many variations, so if you like to include some more climbing/mountaineering just climb any of the peaks on the way. There are huts to stay in every night.
If you'd like a guide to take you I'd recommend the mountain guides at http://www.mountainspirit.info/index.asp they are very motivated, educational and flexible to what ever you like to include in your program, and they will provide you with any equipment you might need.

have fun!