Get Lost Mountaineering

Creag Dhubh, Newtonmorefrom near Lochain Uvie

Start/Finish

There is a climbers car park/layby, with a tall narrow gate through a deer fence, near Lochain Uvie, on the A86 road about 2.5 miles from Newtonmore.

Distance/Time

5 km      About 3 - 4 hours

Peaks

Creag Dhubh, 756 m, NN 678 972.      OS sheet 35.

Introduction

The long narrow crest of this hill is well seen from many directions including the A9 near Newtonmore. It has impressive cliffs above the A86 road from Newtonmore to Spean Bridge which are popular with climbers. It is a very good viewpoint for the Monadh Liath range to the N. The hill is quite rugged and should not be under estimated. Note that, in Summer, the paths may be overgrown with ferns.

Route

(1) Go through the gate and follow a faint path which gradually slants uphill. Stay below the bouldery scree. The path reaches the fence by the plantation then picks a way uphill alongside the fence before reaching a corner at the top of the plantation. From here, pick a way up the grassy ramps, where there are more than hints of paths, to reach the crest of the hill. Try to avoid drifting too far left as this can lead into deep heather. Once on the crest, a good path is joined which can be followed NNE then NE up a well defined ridge, with just the occasional undulation. Two fences are crossed by different types of stile. There seem to be a few false tops before a medium cairn is reached and about 40 m further is a taller cairn which marks the summit of Creag Dhubh, 756 m.

(2) Return down the ridge, crossing the stiles, then continue on the path which shadows the fence to the right. Take care not to drift off the path as the cliffs lie just to the left. Lower down, another fence converges from the left and crosses the fence being followed. This fence needs to be stepped over but it is relatively low. Continue on the path. In clear weather, the monument is clearly visible. The route down goes between Creag Dhubh and the hill with the monument on. Follow the path down into a broad tree filled gully. Lower down, the path crosses a tiny burn then continues to a metal gate beyond which is a gently inclined grassy track which leads down to the road at Creagdhubh Lodge which is an ordinary house with a red pillbox next to it. Turn left on to the road and walk back to the start in less than 10 minutes.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 14^th April, 2003, and 11^th October, 2012.