Carn Dearg, east of Glen Roy

Glen Roy East

Hillwalking route up Carn Dearg and the Fionas east of Glen Roy

A circular route on grassy slopes and crests around Coire na Reinich bags the summit of Carn Dearg on the eastern side of Glen Roy with options to extend over nearby Leana Mor and Creag Dhubh.



Route outline


Corbetts

Carn Dearg

Fionas

Leana Mor, 

Creag Dhubh

Ascent 730m (2390ft)
Distance 8km (5m)
Time 3:15hr
Start/finish Glen Roy
Grid Ref : NN330909
Terrain
easy hard
Nav
easy hard
Effort
easy hard
Scenery
ok fab


Glen Roy is a quiet and interesting place, famed for its glacially carved 'parallel roads' that run along both sides of the glen (more information is on the Scottish Geology website). Overlooking the glen are a collection of heather and grass covered lumps, including three Carn Deargs and two Leana Mors. This short, circular route on grassy slopes and crests around Coire na Reinich bags the summit of the eastern Carn Dearg with options to include nearby Leana Mor and Creag Dhubh.



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Route description


1. Getting to Glen Roy

In Glen Roy, looking up Carn Dearg

In Glen Roy, looking up Carn Dearg

The village of Roy Bridge lies on the A86, a few miles east of the junction with the A82 at Spean Bridge. In the village by the bridge over the River Roy, a junction with a sign indicates the way to Glen Roy.

Head up this road which is single track with passing places. The amount of sheep-shit along this road is quite something (therefore expect to use the jet-hose later) !

The road twists and turns through woodland, then comes out and climbs to a view point with parking area.

After dropping downhill and around 12km on from Roy Bridge, a bridge over the River Roy is by the roadside, around 1km before reaching Brae Roy Lodge. Parking is limited, though there should be enough room to squeeze a couple of cars without blocking access to the bridge or obstructing the adjacent passing place.


2. Carn Dearg (east of Glen Roy)

On summit of Carn Dearg (east of Glen Roy)

On summit of Carn Dearg (east of Glen Roy)

Head across the bridge over the River Roy, it's sturdier than it looks, then up to a small green hut.

Behind the hut, ground is covered in deep grass and there are no paths to follow - it's just a case of finding a line up the steep hillside ahead that suits. The parallel roads are crossed without really being noticed and after climbing around 350m, the hill's gradient begins to ease, the ground cover becomes less dense and a minor summit at 673m is reached.

Turning south-east a wide bealach is crossed and a line of old wooden fence-posts are met. The wooden posts are followed to a higher bealeach between another minor summit (at 763m) and Carn Dearg's summit - though I detoured to the minor summit first just to get the views !

On this higher bealach, a faint path can be found that traces a route up to Carn Dearg's summit upon which a small cairn rests.


3. Return

Carn Dearg's south-western slopes

Carn Dearg's south-western slopes

Rather than re-tracing your route up, a circular route can be made. To do this, from Carn Dearg's summit cairn, head west-north-west and descend a gentle and damp gradient. A bealach is crossed followed by a slight rise up to the minor summit of Carn Bhrunachain .

Some careful navigation is required next, particularly in mist, to avoid the gash in the hill ahead that heads down to Coire na Reinich (see left of photo).

From Carn Bhrunachain turn west and hike around 300m before turning northwards. Once past the gash, a lovely bound down heather and deer-grass reaches the Allt na Reinich and back to the bridge over the River Roy.


4. Leana Mor, east Glen Roy

River Roy and Coire Bohaskey

River Roy and Coire Bohaskey

The route begins just north of a pair of farm buildings in Glen Roy, shortly before the road begins to turn northeast. A rickety wooden bridge crosses the Allt Bhreac Achaidh nearby, and there is space for parking.

This approach is only possible when river levels are low, otherwise use the wooden bridge below Carn Dearg for access. Additionally, a tall deer fence is encountered above the eastern bank of the River Roy - a fallen post provided access during my visit and no gates were visible nearby.

Once across to the eastern bank of the River Roy, pick up a track heading briefly southwards to cross the Allt Bohaskey. From here, begin the ascent up grassy slopes after stepping through a crumbling old wall.

Higher up and through heather, the climb is a little tedious at times, but once on Leana Mhor's crest, the going becomes far more enjoyable, with a scenic walk over gentle grass to the summit , where a small cairn marks the top.

Looking down Coire Bohaskey and over to Beinn Iaruinn

Looking down Coire Bohaskey and over to Beinn Iaruinn

From Leana Mhor's summit, the route can be extended over to Carn Dearg, or you can simply retrace your steps back to Glen Roy.

Looking down Coire Bohaskey and over to Beinn Iaruinn

Looking down Coire Bohaskey and over to Beinn Iaruinn


5. Creag Dhubh, Glen Roy

Creag Dhubh from Cille Choirill Church

Creag Dhubh from Cille Choirill Church

Creag Dhubh is set apart from the other hills on the eastern side of Glen Roy by a stretch of moorland, making it best suited to a standalone outing.

The route begins from the car park at Cille Choirill Church. Head uphill over a grassy knoll, then descend slightly to reach a wire fence topped with rather rusty barbed wire - there’s a gate a short distance to the east.

Cross the fence and continue across a patch of heather, which soon gives way to more pleasant, grass-covered ground. The ascent gradually curves eastward up Creag Dhubh's gentle western flank.

On the summit of Creag Dhubh looking to the Grey Corries

On the summit of Creag Dhubh looking to the Grey Corries

On Creag Dhubh's summit stands a pointed trig point, from which wide and distant views can be enjoyed on a clear day.

On the summit of Creag Dhubh looking to the Grey Corries

On the summit of Creag Dhubh looking to the Grey Corries





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Alternative and nearby routes »


Glen Roy West

Glacially carved Glen Roy is encircled by a collection of heather and grass covered lumps. This route runs over the western hills in this range from Leana Mor over Beinn Iaruinn to the Carn Deargs overlooking the northern end of the glen.

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Ascent : 1410m (4630ft)
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Time : 8:5hr

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Time : 6hr

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Peaks : 2 Munros, 2 Corbetts

Ascent : 1900m (6230ft)
Distance : 20km (12m)
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