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Day 2 in Badenoch... Windy and snow on the higher hills, so it wasn't a day for a big Cairngorms walk or skiing. After trying out the ropes courses at Treezone (really good fun!) in the morning and picking up lunch in Aviemore, we headed back to Kingussie for a short walk up Creag Beag, reputedly one of the best areas to spot red squirrels. Rain was forecast later in the afternoon but for now it was dry.
Up a short hill out of town and into the woods - spotting a red squirrel before we'd even left the tarmac. We almost took the wrong track into the forest here but were saved by having printed the walkhighlands route map with the blue line on it. Past this spooky-looking tree:
Up through the forest on a good track, although higher up the middle of it had been gouged out by a stream. The path-stream hybrid continued onto the open hillside but the wettest bits were easily avoidable. A steady ascent but good views behind, towards Kingussie, Ruthven Barracks, Insh Marshes and the Cairngorms.
A large cairn marks the beginning of the broad summit ridge:
A few spots are contenders for the true summit, but the final one has the best views, complete with a slightly squalid (i.e. home to some sodden tissues) stone shelter.
The snowier north-facing side of Creag Beg provided the descent route. The path is well-engineered, but was covered in slushy snow for most of the way. We took our time admiring the beautiful views of Loch Gynack, the trees and the Cairngorms:
The ascent took longer than expected, but eventually popped out close to the edge of the loch.
The return to Kingussie passes through a golf course and large sections of forest. Unfortunately we didn't spot any more red squirrels, but we did see several treecreepers going about their funny business:
Eventually the path becomes a minor road, reaching Kingussie at the far end of the High Street. Turn right here to follow it through the town back to the start, but not before visiting the ducks at the pond just across the road...
An interesting wee hill. As we headed up the High Street the rain started, leaving us to reflect that we'd been pretty lucky with the weather over the two days despite the lack of sunshine...
Previous day: Loch an Eilein & Ord Ban:
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