Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill), Muir of Ord

DINGWALL, THE BLACK ISLE AND STRATHCONON


Summary :	A short, and at times fairly steep, walk through open woodland and then heather moorland to the summit trig point of Cnoc Croit na Maoile. From here there are fine views over the Black Isle, Cromarty and Beauly Firths to the east and the Affric mountains to the west.
Terrain :	A waymarked route on forestry tracks and clear paths. Uphill section is fairly steep but good views from the top.
Grade :		Distance :	4km/2.5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1.5 hours
Start :	At the sharp bend in the road at Old Aultvaich where the forestry track leads into Corry Wood.	Grid ref :	NH503483
Map :	View an OS map showing this route Buy Explorer 431 – Strathglass online	Ascent :	155m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	[Click for timetables - choose Area 3]

1. Take one of the the minor roads leading towards Corry of Ardnagrask from the A862. Follow the sign for Old Aultvaich, park where the road bends sharply to the left and a forestry track leads straight ahead. There is further parking near the gateway a couple of metres back down the road. Wherever you choose to park, take care not to block the gates. Follow the wooden sign for Ord Hill and go through the gate ahead into Corry Wood and follow the forestry track as it climbs gently and bends to the right.

Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill), Muir of Ord no. 1

2. The track passes through mixed woodland of Scots pine, birch and hazel – it is a good spot to see deer. The track narrows to become a path bordered by broom and gorse bushes. As the path climbs there are good views back of the Beauly Firth with the Kessock Bridge in the distance.

Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill), Muir of Ord no. 2

3. At a sign turn sharp left to head more steeply uphill through woodland on a wide open section. After a short while the path emerges onto heather moorland and becomes less steep. When the edge of the wood on your right is reached turn sharp right following a wooden sign for Ord Hill. This final section climbs directly to the trig point (to which someone has helpfully added a seat) at the top of Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill).

Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill), Muir of Ord no. 3

4. Here there are fantastic views over the Cromarty and Beauly Firths with the Black Isle in between. Turning around to face east, there are good views into the mountains of the Glen Affric area. Follow the path as it continues past the trig point in an easterly direction and turns downhill to rejoin a bigger path. Turn left onto that path and you soon reach the point where you left this path to climb to the summit.

5. From here retrace your steps down the hill to the start. There are good views of the Beauly Firth most of the way.

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Route profile

View Accommodation for this area:
Hotels in Dingwall, Strathconon and the Black Isle
B&B around Dingwall, Strathconon and the Black Isle
Dingwall, Strathconon and the Black Isle self catering cottages
Hostels in Loch Ness and Glen Affric