Get Lost Mountaineering

Carn Dearg in Glen Roy from near the end of Glen Roy

Start/Finish

By the bridge which is about 600 m before the wood at the end of the public road in Glen Roy at NN 330 909.

Distance/Time

9 km      About 4 hours

Peaks

Carn Dearg, 834 m, NN 345 887.      OS sheet 34.

Introduction

This walk gives good views of Creag Meagaigh, Beinn a' Chaorainn, Beinn Teallach, the Loch Lochy Munros and the mountains south of Glen Spean including Grey Corries and Aonach Mor. Most of the route is pathless on reasonably good terrain. Navigation will need care in mist. Glen Roy is well known for its “parallel roads” which are essentially “tide marks” left on the hills by retreating glaciers during the last ice age. These are shown on the 1989 OS 34 sheet as “tracks” but this is an over statement and they are often crossed unnoticed and should not be relied upon as paths or tracks.

Route

(1) Cross the River Roy by the bridge and cross the burn flowing out of Coire na Reinich which might be awkward in spate and necessitate a short detour upstream towards the corrie. Follow the E bank of the River Roy downstream, on an intermittent path, to reach Brunachan. Follow the left hand, N, side of the burn towards Coire Dubh on an intermittent path. When the burn splits, follow the left fork (SE) and shortly cross this burn and follow its right, S, bank roughly SE, on steep grassy slopes, above the obvious deep gully developing on the left. As the gradient eases, gradually bear E then NE walking easily on close cropped heather and grass with the occasional small peaty section. As one gains height, a faint path becomes more prominent. Emerge on a small plateau where there is a small summit cairn which is the summit of Carn Dearg, 834 m.

(2) Descend N to the rim of Coire na Reinich where one can descend steep grass into the upper corrie but be mindful of the crags on its SW side. The descent is probably easier if ones traverses N around the rim to reach the large burn flowing down from about NN 345 900. Be careful not to traverse too low as one of the burns to be crossed en route lies in a gully which is deep and rocky lower down. Once this burn is reached, follow its left, S, bank down to about 30 m above the main burn in the bottom of the corrie. Shadow the burn down towards Glen Roy. Lower down a faint path appears which becomes more distinct as the road is neared. Once in Glen Roy, walk through the old stone walled sheep enclosure to the bridge at the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 27^th May, 2011.