Another delightful run through the Two Lairigs today with the very belated discovery that the higher path traversing from a start up the south ridge of Stob Dubh is the one, true, sensible way up the Lairig Gartain from the south where the more awkward lower path by the Allt Gartain is more of a decoy existing mainly to spoil a good run. So take the high road, which simply traverses the flank of Stob Dubh to rejoin the lower path well below the bealach and enjoy a truly great wee run… continuously interesting, first-rate under foot till you hit the old Glencoe ‘road’ towards the end, nowhere particularly technical, but quite simply gorgeous on a sunny, spring day with snow to admire on the hills but not on the trail!
Not at home just now and can’t remember which way Susie Allison’s book said had the better views, but can’t see how you could beat the anticlockwise finish opening out the view to Stob Coire nan Lochan and the Three Sisters as you return westwards into the Glen, and would have to recommend this direction (Lairig Eilde followed by Lairig Gartain) anyway for the early chance to assess the ford at NN 182557 in ascent rather than be sucked into the very real trap of finding it impassable in descent in wetter conditions.