UKC

Hi. This year I want to climb/walk the three Paps of Jura. I would value suggestions and advice from anyone who has done them.

I have a week each during the following months

February. April. September. October.
Which would be the best month to do them?

From Adrosan via Arran, which is the best way across (I shall be using push-bike) ?
I am going to camp on the Hotel Jura campsite. Any good?
What about the best route, bearing in mind the time factor of one week in total.
Equipment?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In reply to demdyke:
I did these 30 years ago, they are a very rough walk rather than a climb. ( I met a German alpinist in the bar of the Jura hotel,who was adamant he would be on the 1st top in an hour....) - it's quite a full day but no particular techy bits that I can recall. Start off the roadside at a bridge about 3 miles north of Craighouse.
You get to Jura from Islay, so you need to get the Islay ferry from the mainland (cal mac, look it up!) and cycle across to the Jura ferry. Be fit enough, and wear good boots or shoes. The views from the top are magical. It was f**** Baltic on the tops in July by the way - very Maritime. Enjoy yourself.

In reply to demdyke:

I'd go for April or October - the weather in February might easily keep you off the hills, or require ice axe and crampons. September is OK, but still high midge season, so less fun for camping. Your logistics are going to be largely determined by the ferry times - the shortest route would be via the Lochranza - Claonaig and Kennacraig - Post Askaig ferries. The Jura Hotel campsite has it's new shower block open now: http://www.jurahotel.co.uk/#/camping/4571406506

If possible, allow yourself more that one day on Jura so you can choose the day with better weather to do the Paps. The walk is excellent, but the tops are very stony and you lose a lot of height between the summits: it will take you at least 7-8 hours unless you are very fit! The stony ground means that there often isn't an obvious path to follow - in mist the navigation needs a bit of care, especially descending south off Beinn an Oir. Here's a write up of our trip which might be useful: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33238

In reply to demdyke:

Lovely hills. Rough going underfoot on the blocky quartzite, though - I imagine they'd be hard going in the frost or after a snow dusting.

They could be good at any time, but as said, midges might make camping less pleasant in September. If you're camping, do you need to plan far ahead? The best time to go is when you have a good forecast, so the ideal time to decide is the day before, if you have that luxury.

We walked them in an unusually mild February, camping on Islay and taking day trips across - Beinn Shiantaidh and Beinn an Oir one day, and Beinn a'Chaolais the next - as we had our baby daughter with us the first day, so were a bit slower than we would otherwise have been.

http://ootnaboot.scot/winter2007-8/20080215Paps.jpg
http://ootnaboot.scot/winter2007-8/20080215Beinn_Shiantaidh.jpg
http://ootnaboot.scot/winter2007-8/20080215Beinn_Shiantaidh_Summit.jpg
http://ootnaboot.scot/winter2007-8/20080215Beinn_Shiantaidh_Loch_an_tSiob.j...

http://ootnaboot.scot/winter2007-8/20080216Beinn_a_Chaolais.jpg

Ardrossan to Brodick, then Lochranza to Claonaig, then Kennacraig to either of the Islay ports (Port Askaig being ideal, Port Ellen being a pleasant cycle away from it), then Port Askaig to Feolin on Jura.

No special equipment required, unless it happens to be ice axe and crampons conditions.

In reply to colinakmc:


Ha, to balance that, I got a long weekend's roasting in May.

Based on that and on some trips in late September, out of the months mentioned I'd go for April.

In reply to demdyke:

I did them in March a few years ago and there was snow on the tops. Set off from the bridge on a clear day. There are bits of tracks but it is mostly scrambling and finding your own way. Wouldn't be as much fun if the clag was down. I think it took me the best part of a day, but I wasn't hurrying.

Not camped, but Craighouse is the only civilisation (pub, shop) on the island. The island would be a great place to wild camp though. There are caves near the corryvreckan, (which would be a memorable bivi), and along the west coast. Lots of wild life as well.

In reply to demdyke:

An excellent choice.

Most has been covered already. Sorry, but I can't predict the weather. I'd avoid Feb but any of the other months could be fine, or dreadful! September used to be one of my preferred months, but the midges seem to last longer now so maybe only later in the month. October is often windy in my experience, but it really is pure luck.

The Paps is an excellent longish day out. Don't underestimate how rough going it can be on Jura. Lots of tussocky grass and bog on the lower ground, and as mentioned rough quartzite, scree etc on the hills.

Whilst you're there, you must do some walking on the west coast, particularly the northwest sections around Glengarrisdale where there is an excellent bothy. There are some superb caves to sleep in too, well above the sea as they're on ancient raised beaches.

In reply to demdyke:

Not much to add to the above really, but I'd echo the hard day out. I reckon the paps could be the hardest hill walk I've done outside munros (and it's harder than some of them!) There's a bus to the Three Arch Bridge (where you can get off to start the route) http://www.garelochheadcoaches.co.uk/456.pdf Though when we did it, the bloke driving the 'bus' (minibus) was very nice and let us get off and on wherever really. The hotel at Craighouse does good food for once you're done. The campsite was pretty cool, basic but what a view when the sun was setting!

In reply to demdyke:

we hired a boat from Crinnan, across the corryvreckan and onto the top of Jura, biked down, did the paps, then biked down to the hotel for a well earned few beers

the walk, as previously advised, is rough and tousocky, midges and deer flies / clegs / sheep ticks are abundant

we then cycle back up to the top and were picked up by the boat and taken back to Crinnan

a great place, fond memories, go and enjoy

In reply to demdyke:
There's also a ferry from Tayvallich to Craighouse on which a group of 4 of us took bikes for a weekend this year. £20 each way. The Hotel's new toilet / shower block for campers should be finished by now too.
http://www.jurapassengerferry.com/

In reply to demdyke:

Taking the RIB ferry is without doubt the fastest route in and you get to take your bike, Timing your visit with the Jura music festival I would recommend (September weekend). You need ear plugs to sleep though. Camping at the Jura hotel is free just have to pay for the showers etc.
I would consider following the hill race route to take in all the peaks with a bivi on Juras highest summit if weather permitting
There is a good shelter to bivi in North of the summit at the end of the causeway. A stone built seat & shelter is also built just metres to the East of the summit. Not visible from the summit although very close.

In reply to colinakmc:

Hi. Thank you so much for info on the Paps of Jura. Hope my reply to you will suffice as a reply to all the other good folk who have given me all the inspiration needed to attempt the walk. I expect I shall be going in April, taking the bike on the car to Adrossan then cycling/ferry the other bits. I've been in touch with the Jura Hotel for camping. Yes everything will be up and running by April. I'm quite exited at the prospect so thanks again one and all.