Carn a' Chuilinn, via Glen Doe

Carn a' Chuilinn is a wild Corbett on the western fringe of the Monadhliath. In recent years a major hydro electric scheme has been build underground here; the large tracks used for the construction scar the landscape but ease the approach.

Terrain

Hard hydro track for approach, stalkers path. Hill section is very boggy, rough and pathless.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Layby on S side of B862 at NH396088. Map and directions.

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 Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Users' reports

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.25km / 10.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 681m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH396088

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Carn a'Chuilinn

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in a layby on S side of B862 at NH396088; there is space for around 8 cars. Begin the walk by following the road uphill eastwards for around 600m. Turn right here up a gated tarmac road - the entrance to the Glen Doe hydro electric works. Access problems have been reported here repeatedly in recent years; Highland Council Access Officers have advised there are no access restrictions during windfarm construction (please report to them if you have difficulties). Pass through and head up the road; when it bends left back downhill, fork right onto a hard track. This leads up past a large metal shed ('Workshop') before crossing a cattle grid to reach more open country. Soon the track leads past a small dammed lochan.

Stage 2

The track gives fast, undulating walking, soon coming close above the Allt Doe and giving views towards the Carn a' Chuilinn ridge - though the summit remains out of sight. Continue up the track - ignoring branches off to the right - until a bridge over the Allt Doe is reached. Do not cross this but instead fork right onto a short bit of rough track which soon becomes a path.

Stage 3

The path is rough and boggy, following a tributary of the Allt Doe upstream. Soon it crosses a feeder stream coming in from the west and instead follows a burn roughly southwards; the going can be very wet in places and the path soon becomes faint. After a little over a kilometre find a good place to cross the burn and head south across the heather moorland to reach the steeper slopes beyond.

Stage 4

A steep, pathless pull up rough slopes now leads up onto a broad and rocky ridge. Continue SWW along this, passing a small lochan just before reaching the well-built summit cairn atop a rocky bump.

Stage 5

The shortest return is a retracing of steps. One possible variation is to head back along the ridge before continuing northeast down to a slight narrow bealach and then heading east over point 781m.

Stage 6

From here continue to the headwaters of the Allt Coire an t-Seilich. On the south bank of this a path eventually leads down a glen to join the hydro track at a sharp bend. Turn left to follow the track all the way back to the start.

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