Carn Glas-choire

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My last day off work on Friday turned out to be a disaster weather wise so didn’t get any walking in and was really keen to go out and do something if the weather permitted. I checked the weather forecast this morning and it looked to be clear in the morning with cloud in the afternoon and possibly leading to rain showers. Bearing this in mind I decided something localish and not too long of a walk would be perfect in order to get the best of the day, settling on Carn Glas-choire. I only have two Grahams to my name so far so thought it would be good to bag another.

Got away sharpish and was at the parking spot by the forestry for 8.45am and met another walker there. He asked me if I was doing the hill as well and said that he thought he would have the hill to himself today…..no chance! Strangely, his car was still there when I got back to my car but I didn’t see him at all either behind me on the track or on my way back down. Perhaps he decided to do a ciricular route? I haven’t checked the map too closely but I am not aware of there being a circular route for this one.

The walk up is very gradual and the only thing of note was the fright I got when walking past the kennels as the dogs suddenly barked at me! I hadn’t realised there was any dogs there so I was walking close beside them when they spotted me! I soon reached the bothy type building I have seen on the other walk reports. Looks in good nick although I didn’t bother going inside.

Estate shelter

After a gradual walk so far the path’s gradient picked up a little although was still easy to keep a good pace so was gaining the height quickly and the top was looming ever closer.

Path snaking back to the car

Once at the top I was considering straightlining it to the trig but thought it worth carrying on with the path. I am glad I did as there was quite a few peat hags to negotiate and I soon spotted the ATV track leading up to the trig.

ATV track

The boggy moss is one of the most slippery surfaces I have ever had the misfortune of walking on and I was slipping with almost every foot step but it wasn’t long before I was over the worst of it and after spooking a few mountain hares the trig pillar suddenly came into view.

There are some fine views from this one indeed and I am really glad I came to this one today as on a poor day it would be quite demoralising, I think, as the panoramic views make the hill as it’s a pretty straightforward wander up.

View to Cairngorms

The only hill I could 100% identify nearby was distinctive Ben Rinnes in the distance.

Ben Rinnes

After spending a little time at the top taking in the views I decided to head back down. The sooner I got going the sooner I was back on the good path!

Peat hags leading back to main path

As I made my way down the boggy mossy section I slipped about 3 or 4 times but didn’t fall so can’t complain too much! I was happy when my feet reached solid ground and I began the long walk back to the car.

Annoyingly, my track recorder stopped halfway up the hill so I don’t have a GPX for this one but I’d estimate it was about 7 mile round trip and I completed it in just under 3 hours. All in all a good walk and definitely worth doing for the 360 views on a clear day.

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