Geal-charn Mòr , from Lynwilg

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Summary

Geal-chàrn Mòr is the southeasternmost summit of the vast Monadh Liath plateau. It gives a fairly straightforward hillwalk and offers superb views of the Cairngorms across Strathspey.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good track as far as the pass, then rougher path over heather to summit. Return route follows rougher paths, boggy in places.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Lynwilg. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.5km / 7.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 3 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 608m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH882107

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Geal-charn Mòr

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (13)

Stage 1

Lynwilg is just off the main A9; follow the minor road as it turns right and crosses a bridge; there is room to park a couple of cars here, and more parking slightly further along the walk. Begin by taking the tarmac road northwest from the far side of the bridge; it is signed as a public right of way to Carrbridge via the Burma Road. The origin of this name is unclear, possibly it was constructed by prisoners of war in the 1940s although there is no evidence to back this up or it may have been used by soldiers to practise moving heavy loads by mule in preparation for supplying Allied troops fighting the Japanese in Burma during WWII. Follow the road through fine birch woodland until a track forks off to the right. Turn up this track - there is further car parking on the right here, heading through the gate or over the stile.

Stage 2

The track now climbs through the trees, eventually passing through another gate. Soon fine views open up behind across the woods to the main mass of the Cairngorms. The woodland becomes sparser, with eventually just a few birches and isolated Scots pines in An Ghleannan down on the left. Further on the track continues across the heather moor, passing through a gate in a deer fence at one point.

Stage 3

A large cairn (the first one reached) marks the high point of the Burma Road; from here it descends to the River Dulnain and can be walked to Carrbridge. For the ascent of Geal-charn Mòr however, turn off the track to the left at the cairn. Two diverging paths leave the track at thhere; the left hand one contours downhill to Ballinluig and is used on the descent, whereas the other rough path heads directly up the heather towards Geal-charn Mòr - take this route.

Stage 4

The path is a little eroded and boggy in places; before reaching the flat top, a new fence is reached and crossed by a stile beside a gate. Beyond, the summit is marked by a whitewashed trig point with a windshelter cairn. It is as a viewpoint that this Corbett excels, with a fabulous view of the Cairngorms range, running from the Glen Feshie hills, over Braeriach and Cairn Gorm to Bynack More, all seen across the great carpet of Rothiemurchus Forest. In the opposite direction are the wild upper reaches of the Dulnain and the vast Monadh Liath plateau.

Stage 5

Return back down to the large cairn at the summit of the Burma Road. The easiest way back from here is to retrace your steps back down the 'road', but an alternative is to take the path cutting back to the right. This is rough, and becomes boggy where it crosses several streams as it heads SSE across the moor.

Stage 6

Further down it passes through a gate in the deer fence and descends more directly, with a wonderful view of the Cairngorms once more, now seen to great effect across the waters of Loch Alvie. The path is briefly indistinct in a shorter boggy patch before continuing, swinging left above the Caochan Ruadh on the final part of the descent.

Stage 7

As the path reaches the fields above Balliniluig, keep on through a farm gate and pass round a sheep fank to the left side to reach another gate. Pass through this too to reach the main track slightly further on, and then turn left along it. The track swings left at the Ballinluig farmyard and passes behind the cottage. Beyond that turn right at the track junction, to head towards the A9. When the track - now tarred - forks take the left branch. Continue along it until it begins to descend to the A9 - then fork left through a gate. The track curves left and then right, passing a cottage and then Lynwilg Farm. At the Lynwilg track go straight ahead to return to the start.

Route Profile

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