Ben Avon swim/run

I've been wanting to swim Loch Builg for a while with it's remoteness and special position right under Ben Avon. It was an obvious sim/run route taking in Ben Avon first then the Loch on the way back.

With at least 18 degrees forecast and sun I decided to go for it last minute.

The Loch is short at only just over 1km but it's a quality swim. There are myths of a gigantic Pike in there somewhere but thankfully it didn't get a bite!

Corndavon Lodge

There's no easy way in to Ben Avon. It's remote but does have several ways in but these are at least 10km just to the foot of the hill. I went in from the Gairn Sheil road NW of Ballater as I think it's the best way in and the track is mostly flat unlike Corgarff or Keiloch. Also this way takes you straight to Loch Builg which is where I based myself for the transitions.

I took the bike in to cut down mileage on foot. The route is approx 20kms bike, 20kms/1200mtrs run and 1.2kms swim.

Loch Builg

What's left of Builg Lodge

I managed to padlock the new bike to an iron bar cemented into the wall of Builg Lodge. I'm pretty sure nobody would mess with the bike this far into the hills but you just never know. I've dumped plenty bikes at the foot of hills before and never even thought of anyone actually taking it as you'd hope hill goers are decent folk but when you've spent more money on a bike than a small car then you can't take any chances! 

I stashed my wetsuit and other bits and pieces at the head of the Loch ready for the swim on the way back then I was off on the run.

The route follows the Gairn upstream SW for a few Kms and then peels off  NW following the Allt an Eas Mhoir burn until you get onto the vast plateau of Ben Avon. 

The views looking back SE towards Lochnagar are incredible.

From the top of the burn it's onto the true top Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe (1150mtrs). It's a massive and impressive area up here and unlike most munros with weird Tors strewn all over the place. There's a very easy short scramble to the summit.  

Typically the cloud and a bit of rain came just as I got to the top so I hung around for 30 mins or so hoping it would clear but it did not. Then once I started heading down it cleared! I wasn't going back..

The path from the plateau down towards Inchrory is superb with very good fast running. 

Once down it was back to a big landy track following the Builg Burn down to the Loch and into my wetsuit for the last stretch. 

The swim was brilliant and the reason I was here! A welcome relief to get off my feet and float around for a bit before a wee speed session down the length of the Loch and back to the Lodge and bike.  

I didn't see a soul all day and didn't expect to tbh as it's so remote and not a popular munro to scale and even then most folk go in from keiloch. However, while I was stripped bare arse etc drying myself after the swim I heard a voice shouting "Oi I really don't want to see that!" from behind me! Bloody typical that a bike packer just happened to be passing the Loch just as my arse was out!! Hahaha

The route