Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/06/201212:00 am
Walk Details
Pub Stop?: No O/S Map Sheet No.: 36 Grid Ref. Start: Grid Ref. Finish Walk (Miles): 15 Walk Hours: 7.5 Bus Time to Walk: Bus Time from Walk: Departure time from walk:Walk Notes
Today we head westwards by Dufftown and Aviemore to Glenmore for some walks on the northern side of the Cairngorms. Various walks are possible from here, but 4 walks are suggested below but will all finish at the “sugar bowl” car park on the Cairngorm ski road at a sharp bend about a mile from the Glenmore campsite (NGR 985 074).. Please indicate on the attendance sheet which walk you will be following.
(1) A low level walk around Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich
You will be dropped off near Inverdruie Visitor Centre (NGR 903 108) where the road southwards for Blackpark is taken which leads in a mile to the north end of Loch an Eilein. The northeast shore of the loch is then followed for half a mile to a fork in the road where a left hand track is taken. This leads in another mile to the Allt Druidh where the Cairngorm Footbridge is crossed and the path through Rothiemurchus Forest is followed NE’wards to reach the west end of Loch Morlich. From there, a track round the south shore of the loch is followed which heads eastwards to join the ski road at NGR 980 091 and S’wards to the “sugar bowl” bus parking place. Distance approx. 10 miles (2) “Goats Track” & Stac na h-Iolaire – from Ski Centre (NGR 989 060).
From the south end of the car park, take the track heading WSW and before reaching the Allt Coire an t – Sneachda take the left hand path at the split (NGR 986 056). This path leads into the upper reaches of Coire an t-Sneachda with its two tarns. Climb steeply SW’wards on the “goats track” at the head of the coire to eventually gain the plateau. From the plateau, head NE-wards towards an unnamed top at 1176m and continue on this path to reach the top of Cairngorm (1245m). From the summit, follow a good path to reach Cnap Coire na Spreidhe (1151m) and continue northwards past unnamed tops at 1028m and 737m to the summit of Stac na h-Iolaire (742m). Retrace your route and pass SW’wards (NGR 011 085) through a mini-gorge to exit beside a small plantation of trees. Descend towards the south side of Lochan na Beinne and pick up a path heading towards the ski carpark at Coire na Ciste. Walk downhill towards our bus parked at the “sugar bowl” carpark. Distance approx. 15 miles.
(3) Bynack More – From the reindeer house (NGR 978 097), walk NE’wards through Glenmore Forest, past An Lochan Uaine to a split in the path at NGR 003 111. Take the right hand path towards the old ruins of Strathnethy stables and cross the River Nethy by a bridge. Ascend the long ridge SW’wards on the north end of the Lairig an Laoigh path. At about NGR 039 087 leave this path and ascend southwards, the ridge to gain the summit of Bynack More (1090m) passing an unnamed top (818m) en route. Make sure to visit the “The Barns of Bynack”, near the summit. Continue SW towards A’Choinnach (1017m) and onwards to the “Saddle” overlooking Loch Avon. Pick up a indistinct zigzag path which climbs towards Cnap Coire na Spreidhe. Follow Route 2 from here back to the bus. Distance approx. 15 miles.
(4) Ben Macdui – The starting point is as Route 2. From the Ski Centre follow the track uphill past White Lady Shieling. After a sharp bend on this track at approx (NGR 995 052), leave the track and climb up a newish path all the way to the summit of the Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais ridge to its cairn (1141m) on the Cairngorm plateau. Head south and then SW’wards over the plateau past the north side of Coire Domhain to eventually reach Lochan Buidhe. Ascend southwards on a good path to gain the summit of Ben Macdui (1309m) – the 2nd highest mountain in Scotland. From the summit, retrace your route to Lochan Buidhe and climb N’wards to Cairn Lochan (1215m). Descend from the summit westwards to pick up a track heading northwards and then NE’wards, along the north side of the spectacular Northern Corries back to the ski centre carpark. From here, head downhill on the new path along the east side of the Allt Creag an Leth-choin, passing Utsi’s Bridge, to the bus at “sugar bowl” carpark.