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As it was forecast to be a dry day with potentially little wind, it seemed an ideal day to get a little hill in.
Coiliochbhar Hill had been on the radar for a while as a short winter walk, which I could potentially link in with others.
Headed to Kildrummy, and then on towards Brux, crossing the bridge and heading up past the farm buildings at Newton.
As other reports mention, there is a decent parking area (you can get 4-5 well parked cars here) next to a barn that seems to be falling in on itself and in a real sorry state.
Headed along the road to the gate that is visible from this parking area, the gate can be passed on either side, and up the track before taking the right fork and continuing to climb.
- Looking back to the parking area
The track continues up Drumgourdrum Hill along side the trees, some of which show damage from Storm Arwen, coming out next to a ruined bothy. Continuing along the main track, you come to a junction of tracks. I had seen reports of both being taken, but took the left fork
- I took the left fork at this junction
The track descends slightly, before bringing you to a gate which is locked, but has a walkers diversion sign post on it.
- Padlocked gate with the diversion sign
The less obvious track runs close to the deer fence for @100m, and at the corner of the deer fence, there is another sign directing you to follow the deer fence off to the left
- Next sign to follow back to the main track you left at the gate
As you follow this, it would lead you back to the track you left at the padlocked gate. However, as you get close to the track the undergrowth has become quite thick making it more of an assault course!. I skirted the undergrowth heading slightly uphill, ducking between two trees and encountering the track slightly up from the gate (which the track takes through the area fenced off by the deer fence)
- Rejoining the track after diverting round the undergrowth, with the gate slightly downhill
Where you rejoin the track, there is a culvert in the track to channel water. This is a great marker for the return journey, as you know where to leave the track.
Heading up the track, staying on the main track at a couple of junctions with smaller tracks, and passing through an open gate, you round the flank of Craigiebeg Hill and come out on in the bealach, where the track up Coiliochbhar Hill is visible
- track up Coiliochbhar Hill
As you continue along there is a fork in the track, with the left hand track being the one that leads up Coiliochbhar Hill. Continue up here, and as the slope levels out with some forestry on your right, the track turns left alongside some old fence posts and takes you directly to the summit cairn.
- Summit Cairn
- looking back from the summit cairn, showing the track you have followed
- Views from the summit
With more wind than expected, I didn't hang around too long soaking in the views, before making my way back, following the same route taken up. heading back down, you can see the track you have taken up.
- Looking down to Craigiebeg Hill, with the descent track visible
It is now just a case of retracing your steps, being careful as you descend to leave the track before the gate at the metal drainage channel, skirting the undergrowth, and rejoining the main track all the way back to the car.
A quick 90 minutes walking, but rewarded with some good views