Amazing mountain on the Isle of Arran with incredible rock formations on the very top and with one of the best views in Scotland. You can see all major Arran peaks including Goatfell, Cir Mhor or Beinn Tarsuinn as well as scenic Lochranza village, beautiful valleys Glen Rosa and North Glen Sannox as well as distinct shape of Holy Island in the distance. Moreover, a descent near Witch's Step is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Whole trail had around 8 miles and our daughter Annie did a brilliant job. Car park is quite large and not too busy. The path leads through beautiful forest and follows a scenic river - North Sannox Burn. After leaving forest, full vista of North Sannox Glen is revealed with distinct shape of Caisteal Abhail and Witch's Step in the background and incredible gorge formed by the stream in the middle. There are few trails leading to the top of the mountain, but we chose one running via its gently inclined northern ridge. It was rather easy hike up, with reasonably steep start, until we reached the top plateau over which strange rocky formations are scattered. The biggest one of them is the actual peak of the mountain and access to it is possible in few different way, depending on your climbing skills. Since Annie is not too high yet we chose the standard way, which demands circling the peak with a narrow path over the steep slope. After the mild scrambling we reached the top of the mountain which is shaped nearly like a castle's tower. Unlike many other mountains, where getting to the top is a difficult bit, descent from Caisteal Abhail may be actually more tricky then ascent. Of course, there are also relatively easy routes down (including the trail we used to climb up), but we wanted to see a famous Witch's Step, where the most challenging trail of Arran leads through. The trail down to Witch's Step leads via quite narrow ridge with some rocky pinnacles and mild scrambles, until you reach the edge of the chasm where the trail drops sharply down. Following it includes careful sliding a steep rocky slate just to land on very narrow and exposed path down which needs a careful navigation. When you get down to the bottom of the V shaped pass, you can either climb up Witch's Step nearly vertical wall, or climb a bit down and go around it. Since it is one of the most difficult bits of Scottish hillwalking and we didn't have any ropes with us, we chose to go around, but we will come back there one day. The bypass was quite easy, and you ended up just below the pinnacle towering other the pass. Route down from here was also tricky for other reasons. The trail which is marked on all maps is not easy to find and it is not really a proper trail. It demand descent towards the North Sannox Burn below, but without a proper path. The trails starts again down below, next to the gorge of the river. After a hike along the gorge, in a place where it starts, there are few charming little ponds where you can dip your tired feet in after the adventure.

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Captured with: DJI Mini 3 Pro in 4K

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