Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Aviemore and Grantown
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1. There is car parking just beyond Glenmore Lodge Outdoor centre, at the very end of the road. The walk begins by following the track that is the road's natural continuation. The track soon leads out the far side of the forest plantations (ignore any turnings off to the right) to reach the open ground in the floor of the glen that leads up to the Ryvoan Pass. After about two kilometres, the track comes close to Lochan Uaine, a picturesque sheet of turquoise-green water fringed by Scots Pine trees; it is worth descending the steps on the right to visit the loch shore.
2. Beyond the loch the track continues its gradual climb, and soon forks. The left branch is the continuation of the old Ryvoan Pass route through Abernethy Forest to Nethybridge. Our route is the right fork, signed 'Braemar', which ascends the moor and passes to the right of Loch a'Gharbh-choire. It soon crosses the Allt a'Garbh-choire and reaches the site of Bynack Stable. This corrugated iron hut was never a tempting shelter, but it was finally blown down in 2005 after previously being reprieved of demolition by the RSPB. All that remains is a pleasant patch of grass, an inviting mountain camp spot in fine weather.
3. Cross the Nethy and follow the path which begins to climb the moors beyond. This path is part of the Lairig an Laoith, a mammoth cross-country trek along an ancient route from Aviemore to Braemar; much less well known than the celebrated Lairig Ghru but perhaps even tougher with a tricky river crossing at Fords of Avon. Keep on this Lairig path as it climbs more steeply before reaching the broad shoulder of Bynack More. Here, an eroded Munro-baggers path heads off to the right, some distance short of the summit of the Lairig. Turn right onto this path which heads directly towards Bynack More.
4. Higher up the path steepens as it tackles the north ridge of Bynack More, keeping slightly to the right of the ridge line. The summit is a Munro at 1090 metres, and its location at the northeastern edge of the Cairngorms makes it a superb viewpoint; there is nothing higher to interrupt the view over Moray, from where Bynack More can appear to be the highest of the Cairngorms.
Photo ©Elliot Simpson, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The usual and quickest return is the same way. However if energy and time is plentiful, you can continue southwards to visit the Barns of Bynack. These huge granite tors – amongst the largest in the Cairngorms - are not in view from the summit (those are the 'Little Barns'), but a descent to the Little Barns and then a steeper downhill to the east will soon lead to them. From the Barns, it is still quickest to return the same way; another option is to traverse the Top of A'Choinneach – which was once a Munro – and then head southwest to the Saddle between Glen Avon and the headwaters of the Nethy (note that the slopes around the Saddle are particularly notorious for full-depth avalanches in winter). From the Saddle head north into Strath Nethy; a path follows the east side of the stream to rejoin the outward route by the bridge next to the site of the Bynack Stable.
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