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Meall Chuaich & Creag Ruadh from Cuaich

Start/Finish

Cuaich on A9 NE of Dalwhinnie at NN 654 864.

Distance/Time

18 km      Approx 6½ hours

Peaks

Meall Chuaich, 951 m, NN 716 878.

Creag Ruadh, 658 m, NN 685 882. OS sheet 42

Introduction

This Munro and Grahamare the most northerly of the Drumochter hills so give good views of their southerly neighbours as well as the nearby Glen Feshie hills and Cairngorms.

Route

(1) Follow the obvious track SE until it joins the aqueduct and then reaches the power station. Continue alongside the Allt Cuaich towards Loch Cuaiche. At the diamond crossroads, go straight on to reach the (often locked) bothy at NN 690 870. After crossing the Allt Coire Chuaich, turn NE up the obvious path which starts heading up Meall Chuaich. This path can be very boggy and, as a result, is gradually widening as people try to avoid the boggy areas. At Stac Meall Chuaich, turn E. The path is still fairly obvious but may appear faint in some of the boulder fields. Reach a very large cairn which is the summit of Meall Chuaich, 951 m. Return by the same route to the bothy.

(2) Take the track to the S end of Loch Cuaich. Continue on the track through the gate then about 40 m further before starting to climb the SE flank of Creag Ruadh. There is no obvious path but careful use of animal tracks avoids the worst of the heather. In clear weather, aim for the obvious green grassy patch just below the summit ridge. When this is reached, ascend its left (S) side to find a heathery ramp slanting right (N) with a faint path on it. After about 100 m, this emerges on the crest where it is an easy 200 m almost level walk, on a faint path, to the sizeable summit cairn of Creag Ruadh, 658 m. Return by same route then by the track to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 12^th November, 2009.

(b) As an alternative to returning to the bothy by the route of ascent, it is possible to descend Meall Chuaich to the N end of Loch Cuaich and ascend the long ridge of Creag Ruadh.

(c) A direct descent of Creag Ruadh towards the power station can take one through deep heather.