The Fara, Dalwhinnie

Summary

The Fara is amongst the biggest as well as the highest of the Corbetts - a broad ridge running along the north side of Loch Ericht from Dalwhinnie to Ben Alder lodge. After an initial steep climb up the ridge offers very simple walking in good conditions, with superb views, making this an enjoyable hillwalk.

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Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Steep grassy ascent with one short peaty section, then a long, easy going hill ridge. Return walk is along good track but the hill section is pathless.

Getting there

Start

Walkers car park immediately before level crossing, Dalwhinnie.

Public Transport

Train and bus service to Dalwhinnie.

Start Grid Ref

NN 633 846

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21.5km / 13.25 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 775m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: The Fara

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Walk Description

User reports (14)

WARNING

The level crossing at the start was locked by Network Rail in 2021, to the outrage of the local community and outdoor access groups including the Ramblers, Scottish Rights of Way Society and Mountaineering Scotland. They are fighting for the restoration of access to this historic route, long regarded as a Public Right of Way. See the campaign page for more info.

There is a footbridge over the railway at the station, but the gate to the land on the far side of the railway has been barricaded by the landowner (though access rights apply to this land). Until these issues are resolved, the only option is to walk or cycle from the walkers' car park back to the main A889 road, turn right along this, and then right again by the service station onto a lane that leads under the railway, then right once more to reach the original route - a detour of just over 2km. Walkers are requested to use the car park and not try to park nearer the underpass, which is causing further issues.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

There is a walkers car park just before the level crossing in Dalwhinnie. The easiest way to bypass it is to head back, head towards the station and turn left in front of it to follow the road to the crossing (do not park at the railway station itself). The crossing has been locked by Network Rail since 2021, blocking access to the ancient drove road across Scotland. Until access is restored, the shortest way to access the walk is to head back to the station, then head over the footbridge over the railway line. Turn right to the far end of the platform, then go through/over a gate on your left. Turn left and follow a faint and slightly boggy path initially parallel to the railway, then climbing slightly away from it. It reaches a gate; pass through. Shortly after this the track can be reached, now on the far side of the crossing. Follow the track, keeping straight ahead to the shores of Loch Ericht, one of only a few reservoirs to be dammed at both ends.

Stage 2

The track continues alongside the loch soon passing a elaborate new gatehouse built in recent years by the Swiss owners of the estate. Continue along the track to reach the newly castellated estate house at An Tochailt. Just beyond this there is a grassy break in the forestry plantations on the right. Leave the track here and head - very steeply at first - up into this open grassy break. The ground can be wet in the lower part but soon becomes drier. Continue up the steep fire break. Excellent views open up looking back to Loch Ericht.

Stage 3

After passing the top of the forestry the gradient eases a little; continue in the same direction up the open moorland, following an irregular line of old fenceposts towards the summit of the Fara. Further on there is a short stretch of peat-hagged ground before the ascent steepens once more and follows a large drystone wall. A huge summit cairn is then reached astride the end of the wall. Actually a rocky tor around 100m SSW, marked with its own rocky tor, may be slightly higher than the main cairn.

Stage 4

The location of the Fara ensures that the summit views are superb, with a long vista along Badenoch and Strathspey, and range after range of mountains revealed including Creag Meagaidh to the west and the Ben Alder ranges to the southwest. The distant Cairngorms can be seen over Dalwhinnie and the foot of Loch Ericht. The quickest return is simply to retrace your steps, but the broad ridge extends for several kilometres to the southwest providing a superb traverse and is well worth the extra effort

Stage 5

Continue along the ridge, which gives easy walking over short-cropped vegetation and some scattered stones, though it is very exposed in poor weather. The ridge undulates slightly before a descent and then a slightly steeper climb up to point 901m; there are some excellent views down into the great trench of Loch Ericht.

Stage 6

Follow the ridge to the cairn on Meall Cruaidh, which has the best views of the day over the Ben Alder massif. Continue in the same direction to begin the fairly steady descent. Part way down it is necessary to cross the Allt Coire na Meine; aim to reach the forestry fence near a large stile. Cross the stile and then turn right alongside the fence just above the forestry. When a wide gap is reached in the trees, head down it (or amongst the more open pines and larches alongside it). Eventually the estate track is joined; turn left along this and cross a bridge.

Stage 7

The main track is now followed for the 8.5km walk back through the forests above Loch Ericht. There are glimpses down to the impressively renovated Ben Alder Lodge at first, and the track then passes the gatelodge which has been embellished with a cylindrical tower. Eventually the track returns to An Tochailt and rejoins the outward route, heading back over the railway line to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Kingussie & Newtonmore Hotels

Kingussie & Newtonmore B&B

Kingussie & Newtonmore cottages

Cairngorms hostels

Glamping and Camping

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