Day 4/6 The West Highland Way 152km - Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy - 24 Mar 2009

The 4th day of my walk was a very depressing one. It was a tedious (boring) walk, made worse with unpleasant weather conditions - cloudy, rain, very foggy, which lasted the whole day. It took a total of 8.75 hours, with 0.75 hour of lunch break at Tyndrum.

The Way passed through Glen Falloch with a traffic-laden road, the Highland railway, and scores of electricity pylons. Good tracks and and a section of old military road followed the beautiful River Falloch and then climbed easily over rough sheep pasture to the edge of a conifer plantation. I passed quite near the busy village of Crianlarich, but did not turn in as there was no reason for me to stop.









The next part of the Way was a steep climb through a large conifer plantation high on the vallley side with views over the strath. It was quite foggy, cloudy and drizzling then, hence it was not a very good experience. The trail descended to the flat valley bottom, crossed the main road and River Fillan and made a circuitous route through farmland. It then went past the ruined priory of Saint Fillan, across a compact moorland and into the small but busy village of Tyndrum where I had a break.

















After a refreshing lunch break of pastry and sandwiches, I forced my tired body to move on. My right leg was very stiff and painful after not moving it for some time. I headed towards my destination for the night despite the pouring rain. Although the route provided good, mostly level walking along the worn cobbled surface of the old military road surrounded by 'supposedly wonderful' mountain scenery, it got very hard on my heels. There was little shelter along this open stretch. Very tedious and demoralising because I couldn't see much beyond the thick fog. The path was muddy at some areas and I had to struggle across them to avoid getting my inner boots wet.












My right leg was in a terrible condition by then. It hurt whenever there were ascents and descents. And obviously, that happened all the time. I had to straighten my right leg when I walked. Sprain or something, I supposed. Probably due to my new walking shoe which I was not used to it yet. Hiaz...

I was all drenched when I FINALLY (!!!) reached my planned destination - Bridge of Orchy. I stayed in the bunkhouse of Bridge of Orchy Hotel. Shared the room with another older, grumpy lady...haa!!! Very cool bunkhouse..slanted window...raindrops pattering on the window panes the whole day/night. I washed up and limped back to my bed. I felt rather helpless, scared and very exhausted by then. The pain was getting more intense. Very worried about the next day's walk - longest distance and greatest ascent. Oh dear...