Day on Meall Chuich

[alexmat]

An early winter to walk up Meall Chuich. Don't understand why this Munro gets so much bad press. I found it interesting with good access and fantastic views from the summit. Parking in the lay by the A9 you quickly find yourself in the quiet of the glen following the Alt Cuaich burn. Nothing taxing, if time is short a bike would speed up the access leaving it at the shooting bothy close to the Loch Cuaich .Crossing the Alt Coire Chuaich there is a worn path which climbs up the hills south west ridge by Stac Meall Chuaich.. It was here that I stopped to chat to one of the gamekeepers..He suggested continuing on the path up into Coire Chuaich from there it is a steep climb to the summit following an old fence line. Reason for this alternative route .is as he said a growing concern to the environment due to increasing erosion to the south wet of the Munro. I have to agree the path is severely eroded ,damaging the fragile peat land and causing soil to slide down the hillside. He said there are moves to fence of this route to allow regeneration and push walkers further up the hill or use the stalkers path. Have to say I agree the route looks awful Views from the top are superb across Badanoch , Strathspey, across to Loch Ericht and up to the Monadhliath. I returned by the same route.. We all have a duty to protect these important fragile places ,perhaps we need to rethink the damage we are all causing and find alternative routes up our hills..Rather than using the same old tracks which are turning into motorways.