Creag Loch nan Dearcag (Strathconon) w Kids - easily from SW

[WalkingWithKids]

Creag Loch nan Dearcag from SW from Dalnacroich in Strathconon with Kids (8, 11, 17 yo)

Stats:
Total distance - 6.6 km
Total time - 3h53m
Walking time - 1h57m
Altitude gain - 415 m
Terrain:
2.2 km - forestry track (excellent)
1.4 km - old forest track (muddy in some places, 2 burns to cross)
2.2 km - ATV track (boggy in some places, a deer fence and a burn to negotiate)
800 m - pathless (a mix of short grass and heather, wet in some places)

I was worried we would have to struggle with a bog and deep heather. Not at all! This walk surpassed my expectations . There was a track almost to the top.

20220304-Creag-Loch-nan-Dearcag-from-SW-from-Dalnacroich---Strathconon-Track.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We parked at the gate on the forestry track.
The start of the forestry track. Looking back towards Bridgend:

Looking back - the parking spot and the walk direction:

The gate on the excellent forestry track:

View towards the Graham Càrn na Coinnich (in the back, in the middle):

After roughly 1.1 km, on the track high point, about 50 m behind the 90-degree right turn, we left the forestry track at this place and headed left:

The old forest track starts here:

The track was good, a bit muddy in some places.
To the right:

Crossing a burn:

Little waterfall:

Another burn:

Exit of the wood. ATV track starts on the right:

The start of the ATV track. The track was good walkable, in some places wet:

Closer to the fence:

We reached two gates in the deer fence, unfortunately both of which were padlocked. We climbed the fence at the closest one:

ATV track continued beyond them:

Boggy in some places:

We left ATV track at this place and continued pathless to the top through grass and short heather:

Looking back to ATV track:

Icy on the top - Corbetts Meallan nan Uan and Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn:

Icy on the top - the Sub2000 Sgùrr Marcasaidh and the Munro Ben Wyvis in the back:

Looking towards NNW - Loch Bhad Ghaineamhaich, the Corbett Beinn Liath Mhòr a' Ghiubhais Li (in the back, in the middle):

We returned the same way.

The track:

Back at the gate:

In the wood:

Another little waterfall:

Back on the forestry track:

River Meig, Corbetts Meallan nan Uan and Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn:

Bridgend:

On the way home, at Glacour:

[Hills4dogs]

Hiya,
Nice report, we seem to be walking, looking at the same hills at the moment! Do you think at the second gate there was any room for a spaniel to squeeze through. He is really rubbish at climbing them
Thanks

[WalkingWithKids]

Hiya,
Nice report, we seem to be walking, looking at the same hills at the moment! Do you think at the second gate there was any room for a spaniel to squeeze through. He is really rubbish at climbing them
Thanks

Thanks. Aye, it seems so
The gates are padlocked and there are chains on them. You can push the bottom of the gate and there is even a small hole on the first one. I think you can cross the gate with a dog.
Here are more photos of the gates:

1st
from the front:

from the back:

2nd
from the back:

[Hills4dogs]

Great thanks. He should be able to squeeze under that

[dronaig]

Very good report.. thanks. I was in Strathconnon climbing the Grahams so coming from SW was perfect to do this hill

my 30 yr old map didn't reveal much so an up to date WH report was just the ticket. Cheers.