Carn Dearg in the Monadhliath

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.

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

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

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