Geal Charn from Abernethy
Cycling and hiking route up Geal Charn from Abernethy Nature Reserve
Fine tracks through Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve enable an enjoyable cycling route approaching Geal Charn from the west. The tracks continue up a fair height up Geal Charn's slopes, leaving a short walk over heather to reach the remote cairn on the summit.
Route outline
| Corbetts | ||||
| Walk ascent | 240m (780ft) | |||
| distance | 5km (3m) | |||
| time | 1:30hr | |||
| Bike ascent | 410m (1340ft) | |||
| distance | 24km (15m) | |||
| time | 2:00hr | |||
| Start/finish | Abernethy Grid Ref : NH998167 | |||
| Terrain |
| |||
| Nav |
| |||
| Effort |
| |||
| Scenery |
| |||
South of the village of Nethy Bridge, fine estate tracks lead from Forest Lodge in the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve through woodlands and past lochans to the foot of Geal Charn, from where heather-clad slopes rise to the summit.
The route can be cycled for much of the way and depending on your fitness and stamina, a bike can be cycled to a height of over 600m on Geal Charn's westerly slopes. Thereafter, faint trods can be picked up hiking a route via Bile Buidhe or a direct trudge will lead through heather.
Show map
Route description
1. Getting to Abernethy Forest and Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
The village of Nethy Bridge lies on the B970, around halfway between Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey.
At the western end of the village, by a junction, a sign points to Loch Garten and Tulloch. Around 4km down this road, a further junction sees the start of a smooth estate track heading south. There is a small parking area close to the start of this track.
The estate track heads for a further 3km into Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve, past the house at Cuchanlupe 
and to the Forest Lodge 
.
Prior to the Covid lockdowns of 2020, you could drive up the estate track to the buildings by Forest Lodge and park there. Alas this is no longer the case and vehicles should be left by the roadside.
A slightly longer approach to Forest Lodge begins from the end of Dell Road in Nethy Bridge, though parking is more limited here,
2. Cycle through Abernethy Forest
Heading down track through Abernethy
On bike, from Forest Lodge, cycle along the track that is marked to Nethy Bridge. The track passes a couple of old buildings and drops to a junction. Turn right and cycle over a bridge 
crossing the River Nethy.
Around 500m on from the bridge, the track comes to another junction 
. Keep to the main track which takes a sharp right turn then climbs. A further 2km on, the track comes to another junction 
with three exits, a couple which have gates - keep left on the track that doesn't have a gate.
The track heads out of forest and views begin to open up. Follow the track as it passes around Loch a' Chnuic 
, then becomes rougher as it enters some woodland to travel aside Faesheallach Burn.
Reaching the Allt Gheallaidh 
, one of the burn's tributaries, the track attempts to ford the water. In most conditions this should be pretty straightforward.
The Allt Gheallaidh ford
where ATV tracks take over crossing the moorland ahead.The Allt Gheallaidh ford
3. Geal Charn
Looking up to Geal Charn
Having reached a height of just over 600m on the northern shoulder of Bile Buidhe, you may be tempted to bike it up the ATV tracks. Alas the ground is rough and soggy, tiring on a bike, and the ATV tracks head southwards to Bile Buidhe's summit - away from Geal Charn !
So best to drop of your bike at the end of the rough track and on foot, head south-east, crossing grass and heather-clad terrain with occasional peat-hags, gaining a little height. Admittedly a bit of a trudge, but upon approaching the wide bealach between Bile Buidhe and Geal Charn, the heather becomes less dense and progress becomes easier.
View from Geal Charn's summit to Ben Rinnes
on the way. The highest point on Geal Charn's summit 
is marked by an untidy pile of boulders, in which an old fence-post has been stuck. Views are rather fine from the top, the Cairngorm plateau stretching in one direction, Ben Rinnes and the Moray Firth in the other.View from Geal Charn's summit to Ben Rinnes
4. Return
Loch a' Chnuic
About-turn on Geal Charn's summit and retrace your steps to Bile Buidhe's northern shoulder to pick up your bike and return to Forest Lodge.
The initial cycle down the rough track to the ford over the Allt Gheallaidh is an absolute hoot, though does require a bit of concentrating !
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
 | OS Explorer OL58 |
|
Download GPX of route |
Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Northern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Geal Charn from Dorback | |
|
Above the Braes of Abernethy, fine estate tracks lead from Dorback Lodge to the foot of Geal Charn, from where a delightful circular route makes for an enjoyable afternoon's walk or run. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 600m (1970ft) Distance : 16km (10m) Time : 5:45hr |
Bynack More and Creag Mhor from Glenmore | |
|
Bynack More is a very accessible mountain with weird granite tors sitting at the north-eastern edge of the Cairngorms. The Corbett peak of Creag Mhor is a short distance away and the much of the route from Glenmore to access these hills can be done on bike ! Peaks : 1 Munro, 1 Corbett
Ascent : 860m (2820ft) Distance : 22km (14m) Time : 5:30hr |
Meall a' Bhuachaille from Glenmore | |
|
A lovely walk through Scots Pine woodlands and past the 'Green Lochan', leads to lonely little Ryvoan Bothy, from where a direct ascent of Meall a' Bhuachaille is made via a decent path. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 550m (1800ft) Distance : 9km (6m) Time : 3:15hr |
Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird from Tomintoul | |
|
A delightful cycle on a fine track following lovely River Avon through Glen Avon is followed by hiking paths on gentle slopes to pass weird rocky tors to reach the high summits of Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1600m (5250ft) Distance : 51km (32m) Time : 10:30hr |
