Carn Ban and Beinn a' Chaisteil
Biking and hiking route up Carn Ban and Beinn a' Chaisteil from Alladale
Excellect, cycleable estate tracks lead into the Strathvaich and Freevater wilderness from where the Corbett hills Carn Ban and Beinn a' Chaisteil can be hiked up.
Route outline
Corbetts | ||||
Walk ascent | 990m (3240ft) | |||
distance | 15km (9m) | |||
time | 5:25hr | |||
Bike ascent | 410m (1340ft) | |||
distance | 32km (20m) | |||
time | 2:00hr | |||
Start/finish | Road end in Strathcarron Grid Ref : NH464891 | |||
Terrain |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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This route travels through from Strath Carron through Alladale Estate to the watershed between Gleann Mor and Strathvaich. An alternative approach, which is mentioned at the bottom of this page, is a similarly distanced approach from Black Bridge to the south. Both of these routes are on decent estate tracks, on which the use of a bike is recommended.
Carn Ban and Beinn a'Chaisteil have wide grass-covered summit plateaux, however while Carn Ban has the remains of an old stalkers path to follow for much of the ascent up its southern flank, there is no such feature on Beinn a' Chaisteil, its slopes being clad in deep heather.
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Route description
1. Getting to Strathcarron
Gorge on River Carron
North of Inverness, the A9 heads over the Black Isle to the Dornoch Firth, at the head of which is Ardgay. A narrow road heads westwards from this village, at the end of which is a turning area by the entrances to Glencalvie Estate and Alladale Wilderness Reserve.
By the turning area there is limited parking for a few vehicles. If full, there are several roadside laybys on the road approach.
2. Cycle to Deanich Lodge
Bridge by Deanich Lodge
From the car-park, head west along the road into Alladale Estate. Around 500m after setting off, there is a small sign on the left indicating a short walking detour to view the Eas Charron. Around 2km further on you'll come to junction by an information board.
At the junction, turn left and head down to a bridge over the River Carron. Over the bridge, around a barrier, begin to head uphill. At a sharp corner, ignore the track heading straight on and instead continue uphill aiming south-east.
Through woodland the track turns south-west as it hugs Alladale's large deer-fence and begins to drop into Gleann Mor. The track reaches some cow sheds (some friendly highland cows were here on my last visit), shortly after which the end of the deer-fence is passed and a delightful cycle then continues in more open aspect for the next 7km to a bridge over the Abhainn a' Ghlinne Mhoir.
Over the bridge, the restored Deanich Lodge is passed. The track now quite rough climbs to a junction , where turning left (south) leads to the track's highest point .
Hydro works below Beinn a' Chaisteil
Hydro works below Beinn a' Chaisteil
3. Beinn a' Chaisteil
Beinn a' Chaisteil from the north
Above and ahead the hillside is completely clad in heather. A couple of lines breaking the heather look easier - alas these are the residue of recent landslides caused by rain where terrain is now very loose. Nope, to head uphill is simply a case of head down and trudging up through the heather !
Before long the hillside's gradient begins to ease and heather becomes more stunted. Gradually heather is replaced by grass as Beinn a' Chaisteil's wide plateau crest is reached.
Carn Chuinneag from Beinn a' Chaisteil summit
Carn Chuinneag from Beinn a' Chaisteil summit
4. Carn Ban
Crags of Cail Mhor below Carn Ban
Return along Beinn a' Chaisteil's wide crest and descend down to the hydro-works to pick up your bike. On the track, cycle back to the high point and descend to the junction above Deanich Lodge.
Turn left at the junction and cycle for just over 1km to reach a bridge over the Abainn a' Ghlinne Mhor. Over the bridge, turn right at the next junction and climb up to the end of the track below some hydro works and an impressive waterfall. Leave your bike here.
A tiny cairn by the track marks the start of an old stalkers path heading uphill. The path is soggy and overgrown, but is much easier to stick to this than the deep heather alternative !
The path is followed to around 700m where is ends by a small cairn . From here on navigation becomes tougher as grass, heather and peathags are crossed while aiming north-west.
The gentle slopes of Carn Ban's southern top are hiked and once the height of this is reached, a path begins to form. A delightful walk or run follows this path as it makes its way through grass and onto Carn Ban's summit .
Appoaching Can Ban's summit from the south
Appoaching Can Ban's summit from the south
5. Return
Beinn a' Chaisteil from the top of Carn Ban's stalker's path
About turn and re-trace your steps down the stalkers track to the hydro works. Pick up your bike and cycle back through Gleann Mhor, hopefully with any wind on your back.
6. Alternative approach from Black Bridge
Private road through Strath Vaich
An alternative approach into the area can be made from the roadside by Black Bridge, just east of Aultguish Inn, where a tarred private road heads north through Strathvaich Estate.
This route is similar in length and ascent as through Gleann Mhor with lovely scenery once past Loch Vaich dam. I suspect this is the more popular choice as it begins from a more accessible start point.
The downsides of using this approach are the amount of sheep and cow shit on the road around Lubriach and the track for 1km beyond this was pretty mucky. The cows didn't look as friendly as the ones in Gleann Mhor !
Looking down Strath Vaich to Carn Ban
Looking down Strath Vaich to Carn Ban
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Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Torridon Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Carn Chuinneag from Glen Calvie | |
A delightful walk (or cycle) though the woodlands of Glen Calvie leads to the base of Carn Chuinneag, from where a stalkers track climbs to the twin summits of this distinctive Corbett. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 780m (2560ft) Distance : 16km (10m) Time : 5:20hr |
Seana Bhraigh from Corriemulzie | |
Drive down a forestry track, cycle along a quiet glen and hike up grass and heather clad slopes - this is the easiest route up Seana Bhraigh ! Peaks : 1 Munro
Ascent : 930m (3050ft) Distance : 27km (17m) Time : 4:30hr |
Ben Wyvis (and Little Wyvis) from Garbat | |
Ben Wyvis is the long and large 'whale-backed' mountain dominating the landscape north of the Black Isle. Its summit, Glas Leathad Mor, sits in the centre of the mountain's vast area, presenting many options to explore this wonderful mountain while bagging the Munro and its tops. Peaks : 1 Munro, option of 1 Corbett
Ascent : 910m (2990ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 4:35hr |