The Fara - third time lucky

[Strathlassie]

We've attempted to climb up The Fara twice on our way south to Glasgow but the weather was always dreary but yesterday we were lucky.

We'd been reading about the closure of the railway crossing at Dalwhinnie so the route described by several people on this site, and in the SMC guide, wasn't feasible. We'd climbed Meall nan Eagan a few weeks ago and spied a track up the side of the Fara and so we'd decided to go up this way.

Consequently we parked at the start of the footpath to Coachan Woods and followed the forest track to where we thought the turning was up to the deer fence and hence the farm track. This was great easy walking. We veered off uphill through the woods following the green and white path signs. So far so good. Eventually we reached the deer fence and walked along it hoping to come across a stile. No stile! The land owners certainly don't want you crossing this fence. My other half managed to climb over - he's a foot taller than me but I walked on until the fence was a little lower and then managed to climb over. We walked across the tussocky ground for about one hundred metres before we reached the farm track. This petered out eventually at a turning circle. From here it was a gentle uphill along the ridge - lovely heathery grass, hardly any wet patches. A huge summit cairn at the top.

On the way down we debated about whether to carry on along the path and cross via the ford, hence getting our boots wet and then return to the car via the road. But we decided to take the direct route and head for the fence. This time we found a gate!!! There was even a path down through the woods via a fire break to the forest track where there was a wooden bench. So if you're going up via this route, look out for the wooden bench and head up the fire track.

[steverabone]

I believe the problem at Dalwhinnie level crossing can be relatively easily overcome by walking south from Dalwhinnie on the A889 and then past the Ben Alder Cottages and under the railway underpass there to rejoin the normal path just beyond the level crossing. It's not a great deal further and giving the sighting problems at the level crossing especially for southbound trains is probably not such a bad idea.

Your description of the alternative route is interesting and one I had thought of using for the return on my own walk in 2020.

[gld73]

I like this sort of report - nice and useful to know how to avoid clambering over a deer fence . Like you, I'd seen that possible route up The Fara when doing Meall nan Eagan, I've only done it from the 'usual' level crossing start point before so will give this a try next time, thanks.

[Strathlassie]

I like this sort of report - nice and useful to know how to avoid clambering over a deer fence . Like you, I'd seen that possible route up The Fara when doing Meall nan Eagan, I've only done it from the 'usual' level crossing start point before so will give this a try next time, thanks.

I remember reading your report on Meall nan Eagan and posting a comment to you that we couldn't get up the glen. Having successfully climbed the hill a few weeks ago, I can't believe how ridiculously stupid we had been and we had failed to make it to the top! hat a beautiful hill - the views from the top were magnificent.