Walkhighlands

We set off up the road, past the Reindeer Centre, up to Glenmore Lodge where the road becomes a track. It was a pleasant walk through the woodland with its birches and pines that climb up the hillsides. We passed An Lochan Uaine, the little green loch, then soon emerged into open moorland, Ryvoan Bothy just a speck in the distance.


Glenmore - The Queen's Forest by GariochT, on Flickr


Ryvoan Bothy in the distance, across open moorland by GariochT, on Flickr

At the junction of tracks we turned right and ambled to the lower reaches of Strath Nethy, crossing a bridge over the water, before heading up the northern slopes of Bynack More.


The lower reaches of Strath Nethy by GariochT, on Flickr


Meall a' Bhuachaille (Hill of the Shepherd) and Glenmore by GariochT, on Flickr

It was a long but gentle haul up the hill. Higher up, we had good views across to the tors and corries of Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird.


Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird by GariochT, on Flickr

We admired the curves of Bynack More and Bynack Beg - very graceful.


The Line of Beauty… Bynack More and Bynack Beg by GariochT, on Flickr

Towards the top, there were interesting views across to the opposite side of Strath Nethy, the hills having layers of heather, grass, and scree.


Across Strath Nethy by GariochT, on Flickr

The summit provided an excellent viewpoint to the heart of the Cairngorms, including Beinn Mheadhoin and Ben Macdui, and teasing glimpses of the cliffs encircling Loch Avon. The (Little) Barns of Bynack were intriguing too - fine examples of differential erosion.


Beinn Mheadhoin ('Middle Hill' and Ben Macdui in the distance. by GariochT, on Flickr


Orienting the map… Looking across to Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird by GariochT, on Flickr


Barns of Bynack (or the Little Barns?) by GariochT, on Flickr


Lairig an Laoigh from the Barns by GariochT, on Flickr

We descended south and southwest to A' Choinneach then southwest again towards The Saddle. The Loch Avon basin opened up to us.


The Heart of the Cairngorms. Beinn Mheadhoin, Ben Macdui, Loch Avon. by GariochT, on Flickr


Loch Avon in the heart of the Cairngorms by GariochT, on Flickr

The long Strath Nethy seemed like a hidden, not well-trodden glen, and the faint path wended its way down between the rocks, beside the meandering stream. We stopped for a break and I took some experimental macro pictures, holding my zoom lens the wrong way round against the camera to see the miniature world of the Cairngorms.


Macro - funny Cairngorm plant by GariochT, on Flickr


Macro of Scottish bluebell (harebell?) by GariochT, on Flickr


Macro of a bit of granite by GariochT, on Flickr


Macro of a tiny alien-like Cairngorm plant by GariochT, on Flickr

Wow GariochTom, that is some distance! Your route makes for a nice variation rather than turning back the same way. I may do the same when my time comes. That view over Loch Avon is grand. I like your pictures of the Cairngorms miniature world!

I was on Bynack More the same day and think i may have saw you ahead of us returning to the main path from the Glen as we returned from Creag Mhor. It was a lovely day.

Always enjoy your reports, you just love being out there in the wilds don't you

Lovely photos, makes me long to go back to Aviemore again

Silverhill wrote:Wow GariochTom, that is some distance! Your route makes for a nice variation rather than turning back the same way. I may do the same when my time comes. That view over Loch Avon is grand. I like your pictures of the Cairngorms miniature world!

It's funny, the walk didn't seem as long as it was, but that's probably because the ascent and descent were both quite gentle! We were glad we'd chosen that route - it does make the walk more interesting and provides great views over Loch Avon as you say!

Johnny Corbett wrote:I was on Bynack More the same day and think i may have saw you ahead of us returning to the main path from the Glen as we returned from Creag Mhor. It was a lovely day.

It was a nice day wasn't it? I don't think I spotted you, which route did you take to do both Bynack More and Creag Mhor?

morag1 wrote:Always enjoy your reports, you just love being out there in the wilds don't you

I do!

We dropped down off Bynack More between the crags south of Lochan Bhainne and then upto Creag Mhor from there. You may have been the guy i said hi to at Lochain Uaine, i was on a bike.

Ah lovely Bynack More. Our first Munro... Lovely photos.