Meall Chuaich from 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.

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.

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 .

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.