Glas Maol is the highest of the four Munros on the east side of the Cairnwell Pass. With a high-level start and little descent between the summits, which are arranged on a plateau, this is a straightforward round in good conditions for four Munros.
Summary
Some boggy ground on the approach, and flattish, fairly featureless stony terrain once the plateau.
Terrain
NO150978
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19.5km/12 miles
Distance
Grade
Layby on A93 north of summit
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1. Park at the layby on the east side of the A93, about two kilometres north of the Glenshee Ski Centre. The walk begins on a clear grassy path which crosses an attractive old stone bridge over the burn – this was once part of the old military road from Perth to Braemar. Beyond, follow the path up the glen of the Allt a Garbh-choire, heading east. The path deteriorates and becomes boggy in places and hard to follow, passing two sets of old shielings.
Photo ©Ian Mitchell, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. At the second set of shielings, the main stream curves right. Leave the glen here and continue towards the dome of Carn an Tuirc. The climb is initially through grass and heather, giving way to loose stones higher up. The summit cairn sits on the flat plateau at 1019 metres; this first of the day's Munros has a feeling of space though the plateau robs the panorama of much depth.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. Head southeast from the summit across a truly featureless bealach, where a track is joined. If the weather is good, it is worth diverting for a view down into Coire Loch Kander, a classic mountain corrie in total contrast to the plateau. Continuing, the ascent up to Cairn of Claise is as empty as can be, though the skies seem immense. Before the summit, a line of fenceposts (later a drystone wall) is reached, marking the old county boundary. The cairn at 1064 metres is a seperate Munro to Carn an Tuirc, somewhat surprising given the flat terrain between.
Photo ©Ian Mitchell, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. Head southwest along the broad ridge, with the fenceposts or wall as company as well the tracks. The map suggests good views into Caenlochan Glen, but these are disappointing; the traverse is however very straightforward and enjoyable in good conditions. Cross over the old Monega Road track and ascend direclty to the large cairn and triangulation pillar atop Glas Maol. At 1068 metres, this is the highest of the day's Munros; the plateau extends for miles to the east and north, eventually merging with Lochnagar.
Photo ©Lis Burke, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The old county boundary heads west for a short distance before curving southwards over Bathach Beag, and is easily followed. At the bealach there is a tiny stone shelter with a turf roof – barely enough to accommodate a sheep! From here the walk acquires more character, as a better-defined ridge heads over Cul Riabhach, and then ascends to the stony summit of Creag Leacach, the lowest but finest of the four Munros at 987 metres.
Photo ©Rob Burke, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
6. Continue along the stony ridge to the southwest top (943 metres); from here it is possble to descend steeply northwest to reach the bealach below Meall Gorm. From the bealach, turn right and head down to the floor of Coire a'Bhathaich. Cross the stream and then turn left down the glen; keep some height above the stream and you should then be able to pick up a path which comes down the Leachann Dubh. Follow this path which has a footbridge over the Allt a'Choire Sheiridh and leads back to the A93. Turn right along road verge; it is about four kilometres to return to the start of the walk, though there are sections of the old 'Devil's Elbow' road and the military road which can be walked to keep further from the busy tarmac.
Photo ©Rob Burke, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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