Corrieyairack Pass: Laggan to Fort Augustus

The Corrieyairack Pass, originally built as a military road by General Wade, leads across the Monadhliath mountains from Laggan in Badenoch to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness. This linear walk climbs to a height of over 770m through remote terrain, and has also become popular with mountain bikers. The route is shared with the Beauly - Denny power line which detracts from the otherwise very wild and remote feel of the pass. The length can be shortened by 17km by driving the first section almost to Melgarve. The pass now forms part of the Scottish National Trail.

Terrain

Minor road at first then good hill tracks through exposed terrain. There is a potentially tricky burn crossing just beyond Melgarve.

Public Transport

No public transport to Laggan. Fort Augustus is well served by bus but there are no public transport links to return to the start.

Start

Laggan. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 39.5km / 24.75 miles
Time: 10 - 12 hours
Ascent: 732m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN614943

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

Stage 1

From Laggan, take the minor road signed for Gargask and Garva. The road - which is followed for 17km to its termination - leads past the hamlet of Blairgie before running alongside the Spey before eventually crossing it and then reaching the Spey Dam. Continue along the south side of the Spey reservoir. Although the ongoing construction of the Beauly - Denny line is visible throughout much of this walk, the construction vehicles are using new bulldozed tracks for much of its length and only share short sections with the Corrieyairack Pass route.

Stage 2

The road runs along embankments to keep above the level of floods, soon recrossing the river. After 11km from Laggan, Garva Bridge is reached. Built by General Wade in 1731, the bridge - like the Corrieyairack Pass route itself - is a scheduled ancient monument. Cross the bridge and continue along several very straight sections of road. After another 2.5km or so the end of the public road is reached at a ford and 'Road Closed' sign. Cross the bridge beside the ford and continue along the unsurfaced track.

Stage 3

This soon leads to another General Wade bridge by Melgarve bothy; if visiting the bothy please help keep the place tidy. Continuing along the track, the Allt a'Mhuill Ghairbh is soon reached. The bridge shown on OS maps here no longer exists so it is necessary to ford the burn - which could be difficult or impossible in spate. Further on, another smaller burn is forded, as the route leads into Corrie Yairack - the hollow that gives the pass its name. From here the route climbs in a series of hairpins to a locked stone hut close to the watershed.

Stage 4

The watershed isn't the highest point reached on the route, which is instead marked by a small cairn a short distance further on where the track crosses the broad ridge of Meallan Odhar Beag. There are extensive views ahead now, with the conical peak of Ben Tee prominent. Stay on the original track which descends across the west flank of the ridge.

Stage 5

The track passes an old concrete building as it swings left to descend to the Allt Coire Uchdachan. There is an old Wade bridge here, with a modern bridge alongside. Soon the track leads down a couple of zig-zags to meet the Allt Lagan a' Bhairne, crossed on a metal bridge. After this there is a slight climb before a lengthy section across open moorland.

Stage 6

There are only glimpses of the deep and wooded Glen Tarff off to the right of the route. Eventually the track reaches the Black Burn which is crossed via a ford - it is possible to keep your feet dry using boulders in normal conditions. Just a short detour off route upstream to the left is Blackburn Bothy - an open shelter maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Associaton. If you visit, please leave a report on its condition on the MBA website here.

Stage 7

After another stretch of open moorland steep zig-zags - with views now to Loch Ness - lead the track down to the Connachie Burn. Cross this; the original track then bears right before aiming northeast over a slight bealach (avoid the track branching further right which follows the burn). Pass through a gate in a deer fence and continue the descent - soon joining with the power line construction track. Off to the right is Culachy House - a pink-coloured castle. Just before another gate the route leaves the track (signed) to descend to the left of a drystone wall - heading down between the wall and a burn to eventually reach the road.

Stage 8

Turn right along the road for 400m, the left at a sign 'Footpath to Burial Ground and Fort Augustus'. Immediately branch left on a track which soon leads above the river. Cross a stile to enter and pass through the ancient Cill Chuimein burial ground. Leave this at the far end to pick up a tarmac lane that follows the river before swinging left to the main A82 road on the edge of Fort Augustus. Turn right along the pavement to reach the centre of this attractive small town. For those following the Scottish National Trail, the next stage is from Fort Augustus to Mandally.

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