Leathad an Taobhain and Càrn Dearg Mòr

Summary

These two Corbetts can be combined into this long walk from Glen Feshie. Leathad an Tobhair is a rounded dome of heather surrounded by miles and miles of empty moors - one of the remotest places in Britain but scarred by a landrover track makes for an easy approach. Càrn Dearg Mòr has excellent views, especially on the descent, of beautiful Glen Feshie and Badenoch beyond.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly landrover and ATV tracks with some sections of rough heather moorland. The route is very exposed in poor weather, and remote.

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.

Getting there

Start

Glen Feshie car park 1km from Achlean.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NN850985

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 36.5km / 22.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1150m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Leathad an Taobhain
Corbett: Càrn Dearg Mòr

Mapping and GPS

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Walk Description

User reports (10)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park on the east side of Glen Feshie around a kilometre short of Achlean. Begin the walk along the tarmac road towards Achlean Farm, but turn left before reaching it. When the path forks at a marker boulder take the right branch, signed for Upper Glen Feshie. After passing through a gate the path reaches a burn. This must be crossed, which can be a problem in spate. Beyond, the path runs along the edge of a heather bank elevated above the flood plain of the river. Soon you'll see a bridge over by the River Feshie to the right; fork right on the path that heads over to reach it. Cross; on the far side, a path on the right shortcuts a bend on the track uphill. When a tarmac road is reached turn left along this. This private road now leads up the beautiful glen, passing an estate cottage after a couple of kilometres.

Stage 2

Continue on the road past the farm and cottages at Carnachuin, ignoring the track down to the place where the rickety bridge over the Feshie stood until it was washed away in September 2009. There are fine Scots pine woods, particularly on the other side of the glen. Continue on the tarmac until a fork just short of Glen Feshie Lodge; here the tarmac road leads up to the lodge so instead take the left fork onto a track giving good views of the very fine lodge above. After almost another couple of kilometres another junction is reached; this time take the right hand track, heading up into the Slochd Mòr.

Stage 3

The Slochd Mòr is a deep, trench-like pass climbing southwest out from Glen Feshie, with craggy slopes to the left and heather to the right. Follow the track through this unusual feature, passing attractive Lochan an t-Sluic and continuing up to another fork. Take the left hand track this time to begin the out-and-back section to Leathad an Taobhain. The trcak curves round the hillside to the left, taking a rising line around the moors. The track passes close to the summit cairn of Meall an Uilt Chreagaich. There is a turning area here at the end of the main track, though vehicle tracks continue through the heather. Instead a small cairn marks the start of an old path which descends across the slope to the southwest, heading for the west side of a bealach.

Stage 4

The path has fallen into disuse and isn't completely clear; it avoids the main bealach which is a morass and instead reaches a stone ruin just to its west. Cross a small boggy area and continue up the heather slopes of Leathad an Taobhain opposite; again there is a rough path. The path peters out a short distance east of the summit, which is marked by a trig point (the summit to the west, labelled Leathad an Taobhain on OS maps, is lower). The views have little depth but are very extensive; the best is towards the main Cairngorms, with Cairn Toul looking like a volcano. Return back down to the bealach and up to the track, following it all the way back to the last fork above the Slochd Mòr.

Stage 5

This time go left at the junction. The track climbs a little into a felled area, climbing slightly to a junction. The tracks shown on OS maps above here have been removed - the direct ascent from here to the north is extremely rough with tussocky heather and young native trees. To avoid this hard going, continue along the main track for 1.6km WSW, then as it leaves a second felled area take the right fork and then a sharp right turn onto a much older track just beyond. This cuts back across the southern slopes of Carn Dearg. When the track ends a faint path cuts left and then climbs north up the heathery ridge. At the ridge bear right to follow ATV tracks northeast to the summit of Càrn Dearg Mòr, the second Corbett of the day.

Stage 6

This is a better viewpoint than Leathad an Taobhain, with glimpses of Glen Feshie down to the east (best seen by a short wander from the cairn) and Badenoch and Strathspey spread out to the north. Continue on the ATV tracks to descend via the ridge, northeast at first and then north, with the views improving along the way.

Stage 7

Continue down the wide ridge, eventually climbing slightly to pass just left of the trig point of Càrn Dearg Beag. Further on the ridge bends NNE, and later the track begins to peters out. Keep to the ridge (avoiding the ground to the east side which is heavy going); the best going is if you aim to reach the track across the hill at a junction. Turn right along the track here, then ignore anothe track off left. The track eventually descends through beautiful pinewoods to reach the floor of Glen Feshie just north of Carnachuin.

Stage 8

From here turn left and head back to the start by reversing the outward route, remembering to cross the bridge back over the Feshie to return via Achlean to the car park.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Kingussie & Newtonmore Hotels

Kingussie & Newtonmore B&B

Kingussie & Newtonmore cottages

Cairngorms hostels

Glamping and Camping

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