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The good lady had a bit of a sore hip following yesterday's efforts but was still game to try another small hill. A review of Walkhighlands came up with the perfect solution, Beinn Mhor just outside Grantown on Spey. It is a Marilyn/Sub 2000 category at 471m.
Parking area
We drove from Aviemore to the turn off at Glenbeg and immediately it was decision time, turn left or right, no signs. We picked to the right which was wrong, private house, so about turned. Immediately there is another option and again we turned immediately right. Thankfully the correct decision this time followed by a drive of about a mile (seemed longer) up a single track road to the parking area which is just before the wooden bridge. Just as we parked up a tractor and sheep trailer came down from the farm, glad we did not meet it on the single road, guess who would have been reversing!!
A pair of buzzards are screeching above us as we walk up the pleasant tree lined route. Suddenly a number of pheasants burst from the undergrowth right beside us. This was to be a feature for the next mile or so, they are heavily reared here. Daft birds they are but brought smiles as they run all over the road in front of us.
Farm Beinn Mhor behind
At the farm and Glenbeg bothy you have the first view of the hill, not the one to the left with the masts on it.
Walk straight through the farm but take care as it is a working farm. Soon you arrive at the trees and there is a track off to the left. I reckon you could take this and cut off the loop, but only if you are in a hurry, this is not a long walk.
Plenty of these
Soon another decision has to be made, about 1.3 miles from start of walk. The obvious track continues bending down a hill but there is a definite 90 degree left turn option. We elect to turn left and walk up the track passing the pheasant feeding areas where more birds go mental.
Breaking out
Further up this track we come to a T-junction. I reckon the left is where the first mentioned track joins up so we went right and before long we break the tree line onto open moorland.
Turn right here
The track now curves round anti clockwise and when we reach this high point I am looking for a trig, none to be seen anywhere. A check of the map and the hill to our right is our target, small crags up top but still no trig.
The main route appears to head towards the masts (Laggan Hill) so we cut right and followed a muddy track through the heather, an estate vehicle has been here. There is an obvious flatter area ahead so we decide to follow it heading towards the crags that we could see.
The trig is behind and between scar & crag
Some of the going was quite deep heather, particularly for the good lady, but if care taken it was not too difficult. From the high point of the crags the trig could now be seen, not too far away, and thankfully for the good lady the plateau was easier walking. All the way Autumn colours are dominant, ferns already golden orange and many leaves not far off.
Autumn moorland Grantown in distance
Despite the cloudy day the views were still very interesting with reasonable 360 degree visibility. For all the mountains around there are plenty of flatlands as well. Huge deer fences but we spotted none.
Looking NW
At the trig there is a very small fenced tree plantation, maybe this is the new way forward rather than the huge plantations that we are used to.
Trig
The shafts of sunlight made the landscape very interesting. A wander around the top is pleasant enough today. Grantown on Spey can be clearly seen looking good in the sun.
We followed some sheep trails downwards which made for an easier descent in the first section before meeting up with the original track. I am always fascinated how in these remote uplands one tree (Rowan I presume) always survives apparently growing through the rocks.
Always a survivor
An excellent day in beautiful tranquil countryside and a walk that fully met the objectives, not too steep and not too long but good views. A bit windy but thankfully no rain and isolation as no other walkers here today.
Time: 2.31 hours
Distance: 4.33 miles (6.97km)
Ascent 857 ft (261m)
