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Distance: 65km approx / Ascent: 2,300m approx
Time: 15hrs (incl 3hrs 15mins stops) / Attendees: me
Debated whether to start from the car park north of Achlean on the east of the River Feshie or the parking area on the west of the river on the edge of Inshriach Forest. The former is shorter but a little trickier at the start - opted for the latter as I’d be starting around dawn.
The road is tarmac until just after the bridge at Balnascriten when it’s rough for a short way before returning to tarmac. Signage indicating it’s a private road not long after this. Easy cycle down the glen past the ruined bridge at Carnachuin (pile of building materials beside it). Private road to Glenfeshie Lodge so turned off left where the tarmac stops and becomes a much rougher track.
Nice views back up the glen
Southwards
The track splits further down so took the right fork and cycled past some horses in the field. Then starts to climb up through Slochd Mor and past Lochan an t-Sluic. Found the track surface quite loose which made cycling the uphill sections even harder than usual - had to stop and walk a few times. Also hadn’t done much cycling recently so was a bit out of practice.
Looking back
Lochan an t-Sluic
After the ascent past the lochan the track levels out and I came to the split in the track - right to Carn Mor Dearg and left to Leathad an Taobhain. Turned left.
Steep to start with going south then levels off after turning east. Then more uphill sections - again a bit of stopping and pushing the bike.
Looking back
Cycled over to the wee cairn on Meall an Uilt Chreagaich
Then cycled part of the way down towards the Allt an Creagach but decided to stop as the track was rapidly deteriorating. Hid the bike a bit off the track and changed from cycling shoes into walking boots. Set off towards the Allt.
Ruin beside the Allt
Ascent towards Leathad an Taobhain
East towards the upper reaches of the Feshie
Got to the summit of Leathad an Taobhain
Short break before heading off SE towards Beinn Bhreac. I had read that this would be a boggy walk through many peat hags and it certainly lived up to it. Ended up veering quite far off the straight line trying to find a way round the peat hags en route.......and thinking all the time that I had to return the same way.....
Beinn Bhreac did look rather a long way off but I just plodded on. Spotted a small, brownish animal running away in the distance - thought it was a fox but was moving more like a cat - it disappeared quickly though.
Weather was rather dull and grey for much of the way with a little rain now and again so didn’t bother with more photos.
Got to the summit
Stopped for a break and some food but it didn’t want to clear up much. Started back to retrace my steps.
Looked a long way back
Hare
Tried different routes on the way back to see if I could get round the various peat hags any better than before. Didn’t seem to make a lot of difference though.
A few more ups and downs with the rain on and off for part of the way
The it started to clear up as forecast
View to Carn Dearg Mor
Back at the bike I changed from boots into cycling shoes - a little uphill at first to the top of Meall an Uilt Chreagaich then mostly downhill. Had to be careful on the steeper sections as the track surface was very loose.
Almost back at the track split
Glacial moraines
Steep climb uphill - again had to get off and push quite a bit. Possibly six in half a dozen as to whether it would be better leaving the bike at the foot of the hill.
Looking back
I decided to leave Carn Dearg Mor to the last so cycled past the start of its track and downhill towards the trees. Stopped when the good track ended marked on the 1:25,000 as Cnapan na Cuilce. Locked the bike to a tree and changed into walking boots. Then set off NW down a rather boggy 4x4 track before starting up towards Meall an Dubh-chada.
Clearer views now
On towards Meallach Mhor - more peat hags to be negotiated
Loch an t-Seilich and Loch Bhrodainn
Arrived at the summit
Another break - weather improving all the time. Then set off back towards the bike. Kept the boots on which made cycling a bit tricky on SPD pedals - had to walk a bit.
Carn Dearg Mor
Got to the start of the Carn Dearg Mor track. Left the bike in the heather to the side of the main track and set off up the hillside.
Didn’t take long to get to the summit
Creag Meagaidh hills (I think)
Short break before heading back down towards the bike.
Changed back into cycling shoes for the cycle back to the car.
Horses in the field close to the Feshie
Glen Feshie
Glenfeshie Lodge
Achleum
Back at the car, got changed and headed back to Coylumbridge. Had been a long day with weather not quite as good as forecast but can’t complain. Bit of a hassle changing between cycling shoes and walking boots but probably worth it. Could’ve done without all the peat hags though......