Carn Dearg from the Allt Ballach

Carn Dearg in the Monadhliath

Circular hillwalking route up Carn Dearg in the Monadhliath

Carn Dearg is one of the more interesting hills in the vast Monadh Liath moorland north of Strathspey. Heading in from Glen Banchor not only you will experience its interesting features along with discovering shades of previous habitations in the glens, but there is also the option to bag the little hill of Creag Liath on the way.



Route outline


Munros

Carn Dearg

Fionas

Creag Liath

Ascent 770m (2520ft)
Distance 18km (11m)
Time 5:50hr
Start/finish Glen Road, Newtonmore
Grid Ref : NN694998
Terrain
easy hard
Nav
easy hard
Effort
easy hard
Scenery
ok fab


The route starts from just above Newtonmore, where Glen Banchor leads to the foothills of the Monadh Liath. Ruins of deserted townships can be discovered on the return through this beautiful glen.

Tracks lower down access wet heathery ground, then grass covered slopes higher up. There is some steep and loose ground before Carn Dearg's summit.

As there is no bridge over the Allt Ballach near the ruins of Dalballoch, if rivers are forecast to be in spate, this will become impassible and a re-trace of the route back via the track by the Allt Fionndrigh will be needed.



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Route description


1. Getting to Glen Banchor

In Glen Balloch, looking to Creag Liath

In Glen Balloch, looking to Creag Liath

The route starts just a few miles outside Newtonmore at the end of the public road heading into Glen Banchor.

To get there, from half way along Newtonmore's main street, by the 'Letterbox Restaurant', there is the entrance to Glen Road. Head up this narrow road as it twists uphill past several houses into open moorland. Continuing for another mile or so to the road end, where there is a turning circle and a rough car-park. There is ample room for several vehicles, but beware that the ground surrounding the tarmac is soft.


2. Carn Dearg

Heading up aside the Allt Fionndrigh, Meall na Ceardaich ahead

Heading up aside the Allt Fionndrigh, Meall na Ceardaich ahead

From the car-park, head down a tarmac road to its end by a bridge over the river Allt a'Chaorainn. Cross the bridge and now on an estate track, follow it westwards for around 1km with Creag Liath in view ahead.

Just before reaching the sad remains of the buildings at Glenballoch, and after crossing a little burn, turn right and head north-west on a faint track crossing grass aside the edge of some forestry.

A gate is met beyond which the track becomes more stone and gravel covered as it begins to briefly climb steeply uphill.

Levelling out , the track climbs more gently for another 2km following the eastern bank of the Allt Fionndrigh upstream. Further on, the track fades into a worn path as it reaches a shoogly bridge over the river - there is a newer, more sturdy bridge a few metres downstream. Cross one of the bridges and follow some ATV tracks with occasional bits of tired wooden lattice, south-west and uphill.

As the ground levels out, it becomes quite sodden and the ATV tracks split . Following the faint ATV tracks heading westwards, a route can then be traced for another 1km to meet up with the Allt Ballach , passing some grouse-butts (actually nothing more than some pallets on their sides !) on the way.

The route now is pathless. Following the course of the Allt Ballach upstream and north-west, aim for some crags ahead. There is a grassy gap in the crags at c810m, though rather steep and can be avoided by heading north-east.

Summit of Carn Dearg

Summit of Carn Dearg

Once past the crags, grass covered ground leads up to the bealach between Carn Dearg and Carn Ban, from where it's a pleasant stroll to Carn Dearg's small summit cairn perched above some crags.

Summit of Carn Dearg

Summit of Carn Dearg


3. Down to Dalballoch and return

Descending from Carn Dearg

Descending from Carn Dearg

From Carn Dearg's summit, head south following a faint path on the crest of the ridge and over Carn Dearg's South Top (spot height 923m) to a bealach before the rise below the minor summit of Carn Macoul.

Turn left (east) and head down the gentle gradient covered in heather towards the Allt Ballach.

If rivers are not in spate, keeping to the west bank of the Allt Ballach, an ATV track can be picked up and followed to the abandoned building at Dalballoch . If river levels are high, then ideally cross the Allt Ballach further upstream as fording it by Dalballoch may be dangerous or even impossible.

Ruin of Dalballoch

Ruin of Dalballoch

Once across the Allt Ballach, follow a path hugging the northern bank of the River Calder. The path comes and goes, occasionally disappearing into marsh, but eventually the derelict buildings at Glenballoch are reached and the estate track is then followed back to the car-park at the road-end.

Ruin of Dalballoch

Ruin of Dalballoch


4. Via Creag Liath

Creag Dubh from Creag Liath's summit

Creag Dubh from Creag Liath's summit

Creag Liath, a fine little 'Fiona,' is the heather-clad hill visible ahead on the approach through Glen Banchor. Taking a detour up this hill adds around 200m of ascent to the journey but does not increase the overall distance.

After walking in along Glen Banchor as described earlier, passing the patch of forestry and climbing the short section of track above the gate, leave the track and head down across the grass towards the Allt Fionndrigh . If the river levels are not too high, it should be easily crossed.

Once on the west bank, look uphill to spot lines of grass cutting through the deep heather on Carn Liath's eastern face. Follow one of these grassy lines, climbing steadily and gaining around 300m of ascent to reach the top of Creag Liath's southern rise - a fine vantage point offering views back over Glen Banchor towards Creag Dubh.

From the southern top, a faint path continues northwards, descending slightly before crossing a dip and then rising again to reach Creag Liath's summit , marked by a small cairn.

Looking northwards from Creag Liath's summit

Looking northwards from Creag Liath's summit

To continue towards Carn Dearg, follow the faint path as it descends over another small rise, eventually dropping down over soggy, grass-covered terrain to meet with the ATV tracks .

Looking northwards from Creag Liath's summit

Looking northwards from Creag Liath's summit





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Monadhliath Munros

The rolling landscape of the Monadh Liath is vast and feels very remote and wild. There are four Munros hiding in the expanse, all of which can be bagged in one linear route taking in A'Chailleach, Carn Sgulain and Carn Dearg in quick succession following fence-lines, then Geal Charn challenging navigation skills over featureless terrain.

Peaks : 4 Munros

Ascent : 1420m (4660ft)
Distance : 30km (19m)
Time : 9:50hr

Geal Charn from Spey Dam

Geal Charn is a mountain at the western end of the Monadh Liath and for the most part typical of the area - rolling, gentle, grass covered slopes and fairly featureless from most views. But there are hidden sides to this Munro and weird landforms create interest if you're prepared not just to take the most direct route !

Peaks : 1 Corbett

Ascent : 740m (2430ft)
Distance : 15km (9m)
Time : 4:45hr

Eastern Monadhliath Munros

Carn Sgulain and A'Chailleach are the most easterly Munros in the vast Monadh Liath with most hillwalkers combining them into one route starting from Glen Banchor above Newtonmore. The hillsides are gentle and if the mist comes in, your navigation skills will be tested.

Peaks : 2 Munros

Ascent : 750m (2460ft)
Distance : 14km (9m)
Time : 4:45hr

Carn na Saobhaidhe from Strathdearn

Route taking a cycle along Strathdearn to the heart of the Monadhliath wilderness, followed by a hike over moorland to Carn na Saobhaidhe above the many turbines of Corriegarth windfarm.

Peaks : 1 Corbett

Ascent : 630m (2070ft)
Distance : 30km (19m)
Time : 3:45hr

Gairbheinn and Meall na h-Aisre

The undulating high moorland above the River Spey just east of the Corrieyairack Pass has several rolling hills, two of which are distinctive enough to justify Corbett status. Navigation skills will be tested on the high ground, particularly in misty conditions.

Peaks : 2 Corbetts

Ascent : 900m (2950ft)
Distance : 21km (13m)
Time : 6:45hr









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