free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Another few days in the highlands and the weather forecast was looking promising for a planned wander in the Cairngorms. We stayed at the Speyside Golf and Country Club in Aviemore and I have to say my golfing appetite was rising. This is a wonderful location looking out over the golf course to the rear and a clear view of the Cairngorm Mountains at the front. To someone who is used to the flat lands of York this was just dream land.
Anyway we parked at the Allt Mor Car Park on the road towards the Ski Centre, there was not a car in the area which was a sharp contrast to the minions alongside Loch Morlich. We took the WH route as described which is an excellent and easy description, the two large boulders which point the way out of the car park are easy to locate. A pleasant and easy start to the walk is most enjoyable which passes through trees of Scotch Pine, Juniper and Birch and eventually onto the main Forestry Track through the Ryvoan Reserve. This path is followed until An Lochan Uaine is reached, I was here last year and marvelled at this wonderful place which today was so peaceful. I was as much impressed with its beauty today as I was the previous year. A customary wander to the Lochan shore was undertaken to examine more closely the magical colour and to feel the atmosphere here.
This is definitely a place I shall come again and maybe when my legs will no longer carry me up the Mountains and fells I can come here and just relax with my memories…Simply beautiful!
- Lochan an Uaine
Onwards the path carries on eventually coming to a fork, the right fork is taken following the Lairig an Laoigh path towards Braemar, thereafter the Ryvoan Bothy comes into view quietly nestling under Meall a’ Bhuachaille.
The path ahead is clear to see and wanders for such a long way and can be seen wandering its way up to the high ridge to the left of Bynack More. There is a wonderful coffee stop at the bridge over the River Nethy and we took full advantage of the opportunity. The path looking ahead did look a long long way!
- River Nethy and an ideal coffee stop
- Looking towrads the way ahead in the distance
As the moorland is crossed and gently rises with each step there are nice views to the right of Strath Nethy which is an alternative return route after topping Bynack More. We had not made our minds up of the return route at this moment, much will depend on stamina and weather conditions later in the day.
The ridge is soon reached and the objective can be seen dead ahead and looking a little steeper that the walk so far, the summit was covered in cloud, however as ever we were hopeful it would clear at the top to allow some photographs. The climb towards the summit is easily reached with a choice of paths between the rocky outcrops.
- Strath Nethy
- Looking back to Meall a' Bhuachallie from the ridge
- Bynack More and Beg
The mist had lifted and we were rewarded with some magnificent 360* views of the mountains and of course the Little Barns of Bynack were beckoning. We had decided on a return by the same way after a discussion with a gentleman from Dundee on the summit who said the Strath Nethy route although pleasant is quite rough in places. We were not however returning until we had visited the barns themselves.
These granite tors are really impressive and are put into perspective here with my wife Carol stood against them.
- The Little Barns
- Granite tors on Beinn Mheadhoin
- Dubh Lochan in the distance
- Road runners
- Barns of Bynack
- Strath Nethy and Meall a' Bhauchallie
Another few photos and it was about turn the route back down the Lairig an Laoigh path is a delight with beautiful views towards Meall a’Bhuachaille and Ben Rinnes to the west. A wonderful walk throughout although a little tiring for our first day.
Could my few days in the Highlands get any better?
I was hoping so!