
Meall Chuaich from Dalwhinnie
Hiking route up Meall Chuaich from near Dalwhinnie
Fine estate and hydro tracks are followed to a hidden bothy, from where a quick jog up and down bags Meall Chuaich, a fairly unassuming Munro.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Ascent | 650m (2130ft) | |||
Distance | 14km (9m) | |||
Time | 3:35hr | |||
Start/finish | Chuaich on A9 Grid Ref : NN655867 | |||
Terrain |
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Nav |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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This direct route to Meall Chuaich is pretty straightforward following estate tracks on the lower ground and well worn paths higher up. If mist is down, and particularly in winter with a ground-covering of snow, navigation on Meall Chuaich's higher flat and bouldery ground can be tricky.
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Route description
1. Getting to start near Dalwhinnie

Meall Chuaich from the aqueduct
On the A9, around 4km north of the south Dalwhinnie junction and just south of the entrance to Chuaich Farm, there are two laybys (number 93 and 94) on opposite sides of the road. Parking is really restricted to the laybys, though often people park on verge by the entrance to the moorland track.
2. Loch Cuaich

The bothy below Meall Chuaich
Immediately north of the laybys, on the east side of the A9 is a gate, a sign-board and the start of a track going uphill. A path is being gradually worn heading from layby 94 to this gate, keeping walkers off the A9.
There's a kissing-gate to the side of the main gate, head through this and up the track to meet another track aside an aqueduct. Turn left and follow this track for 2km to cross the aqueduct via a bridge by a building and some trees. Head around a small dam and some hydro works and continue for a further 2km on the track to a junction just before Loch Chuaich.
3. Meall Chuaich

Meall Chuaich's summit cairn and the Cairngorms
By Loch Cuaich, turn right, walk up a track, past a private locked bothy and over a wooden bridge.
The track takes an obvious turn right, there's a small cairn at the side - come off the track here and onto a worn path heading uphill. This path, mucky and slippy in bits, heads north-east over heather, then grass, then turns east-south-east over a flat area.
The wet ground is at last left behind ! Careful navigation is required from here in mist as the terrain becomes more bouldery and the path almost disappears.
As progress is made, a line of fence-posts comes into view. Follow these fence-posts to Meall Chuaich's large summit cairn .
4. Return to A9 near Dalwhinnie

Winter sunset from Meall Chuaich's summit fence-posts
Return is by the same route.
Alternatively the fence-posts at the summit can be traced southwards down into Coire Chuaich, where the track can be picked up, giving a longer return route.
Route profile »

Maps and GPX downloads »
![]() | OS Explorer OL51 |
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Download GPX of route |
Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Southeast Highlands |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Southern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Meall Chuaich from Glen Tromie | |
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Biking along estate tracks leads through pretty Glen Tromie then most of the way up Meall Chuaich's north-eastern shoulder, leaving a distance of only 600m to hike to the large cairn on the summit. Peaks : 1 Munro
Ascent : 780m (2560ft) Distance : 31km (19m) Time : 2:45hr |
East of Drumochter | |
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Carn na Caim, A'Bhuidheanach Bheag and Meall Chuaich form a linear route on the eastern side of Drumochter Pass. Having a bike or other transport organised will save a long return route as the start and end points are around 11km apart. Peaks : 3 Munros
Ascent : 1100m (3610ft) Distance : 25km (16m) Time : 8:10hr |
The Fara circuit | |
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Longer and much more enjoyable than a direct route up from Loch Ericht, a delightful circuit on estate tracks and grass covered slopes leads to The Fara's large summit cairn from where vast vistas can be savoured. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 550m (1800ft) Distance : 11km (7m) Time : 3:40hr |
West of Drumochter Munros | |
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Bags of character and great views, this is a fine high-level route on which to quickly bag the 4 Munros west of the Pass of Drumochter, possibly adding in the Corbett peak of the Sow of Atholl for good measure. Peaks : 4 Munros, 1 Corbett
Ascent : 1300m (4270ft) Distance : 24km (15m) Time : 8:10hr |
