Gairbeinn and Corrieyairack Hill, Melgarve

Summary

Gairbheinn and Corrieyairack Hill were once regarded as Corbett twins, both having the same height on maps although the descent between them is insufficient for them to be separate Corbetts. Gairbheinn has since found to be marginally higher, but both hills together still make an enjoyable round, descending from the top of the Corrieyairack Pass.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly pathless hillwalking on heather hillsides, some sections of peat bog. Final stretch is back down the Corrieyairack Pass - a track.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

End of minor road from Laggan. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.5km / 9.75 miles
Time: 5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 754m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN467959

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Gairbheinn

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

There is parking just before the end of the public road up heading up the glen of the upper Spey from Laggan; the road extends further than shown on 1:50k maps and reaches a bridge beside a ford just short of Melgarve. A 'Road Closed' sign indicates not to drive further from here; there are small parking areas either side of the road just short of the bridge, avoid blocking the track. Begin the walk by crossing the bridge and continuing along the track. This soon leads to a General Wade bridge and passes Melgarve, which is sometimes an open bothy but at other times has been locked (do not rely on staying here).

Stage 2

Continue along the Corrieyairack track for a further 500m or so until a good point to strike off northwards across the soggy heather moorland. Cross under the powerlines and aim towards an old metal fence post on the horizon keeping to the east of Meall Garbh Mòr. Continue up towards the bealach between Meall Garbh Beag and Gairbheinn, before aiming up the initially open slopes of the latter.

Stage 3

Higher up the route follows a rocky rib, but there are several false summits before the true top is reached. The cairn is a fine vantage point for the upper glen of the Spey and across the Monadhliath, though the reservoir of the Glen Doe hydro scheme and wind farms somewhat mar the feeling of wild, open space. Continue for 200m or so along the ridge until a line of fenceposts with a couple of fenceposts leading steeply down to the left (northwest). Follow these downhill and cross a peat bog in the bealach before rising up towards Aonaich Odhair.

Stage 4

The fence posts lead on over Geal Chàrn and another change of direction and descent lead - with a couple of steeper sections, easily passed on the left - down to the next bealach. Cross a bump and then another bealach before a more sustained climb up to Càrn na Larach Buidhe. From here easier walking over a plateau leads to Corrieyairack Hill - once regarded as a twin Corbett summit with Gairbheinn, though now recognised as the lower top.

Stage 5

The going now becomes straightforward as initially faint ATV tracks eventually become clear and lead down to the Corrieyairack Pass, heading down to reach the track through the pass itself. This is the watershed between Loch Ness and Strathspey, though the highest point of General Wade's route through the pass is actually where it leads along a ridge just west of here.

Stage 6

Turn left to begin the descent of the pass, which descends in a series of zig-zags at first. Once down to lower ground the route fords a burn before continuing down the Allt Yairack. The Allt a'Mhuill Ghairbh is crossed by a bridge on the left before the track leads on to Melgarve and back to the public road end at the start of the walk.

Route Profile

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