Càrn a'Chlamain

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Càrn a' Chlamain is the relatively minor stony summit rising above a spacious and very remote plateau. The approach is up scenic Glen Tilt, one of the Highlands' most beautiful glens and it is this that makes the walk a minor classic.

Terrain

Good approach track and then hill path. This is a straightforward hill-walk in good weather but do not underestimate the length.

Public Transport

None to Old Bridge of Tilt; Blair Atholl buses and trains only a kilometre away.

Start

Old Bridge of Tilt car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the well-signed car park near the Old Bridge of Tilt. There is a waymarked circuit of Glen Tilt marked with yellow arrows which can be followed for the approach to Càrn a'Chlamain. Begin along this, leaving the car park on the path near the information board through the trees. The path soon heads slightly downhill, then upriver and crosses the road on an old stone footbridge. The path contours around the steep valley side, a wooden hand rail guards the steepest section, and then joins a track where it turns right. Soon there is a short optional loop off to the right to view the Falls of Fender - this soon rejoins the main track.

Stage 2

When a plantation is reached on the right hand side, take the path slightly uphill to the left through silver birches (it is quicker but less scenic to continue on the track to a bridge and then along the floor of the glen and it is necessary to go this way if long-range shooting is taking place on the rifle range). After a while the path crosses a stone bridge and climbs uphill to reach another track where you turn right. There are superb views up Glen Tilt from between the trees and soon you reach the entrance to the shooting range where there is a viewpoint with wooden seats just beyond the metal cabin.

Stage 3

The route crosses the shooting range and for a number of weekends a year access is banned because of long range shooting. These dates can be found from the Atholl Estate's Ranger Service - or in the car park. Continue over the cattle grid and stone bridge and follow the track as it heads downhill across the Range. Keep following the main track, ignoring two tracks to the left. At the bottom keep on the left (the other track leads to Gilbert's bridge). After a while the path crosses a stone bridge over a tributary and continues to a metal gate. Go through the diamond-shaped pedestrian gate to the left and head uphill on the forestry track.

Stage 4

Follow this until a waymarked junction points to a path heading downhill to the right towards the river. This path passes the remains of a settlement and crosses the flat field alongside the River Tilt. At the far end of the field climb to regain the track at a metal gate. Follow the track which becomes grassy and at a junction take the lower path through sparse trees near the river.

Stage 5

Cross the Allt Mhairc on a beautiful stone bridge where you can see the bowl shapes and pools carved by the water beneath. Further up the glen cross another stream on stepping stones and soon afterwards it is necessary to detour uphill away from the river bank as a short section of the path has been washed away. Once on top of the grassy bank you can rejoin the path and follow it through widely spaced trees until it reaches Gaw's Bridge. Don't cross but continue up the glen to reach and cross the Allt Craoinidh. On the far side, take the grassy path that climbs off uphill through the heather - this is the steep start of the ascent of the mountain.

Stage 6

The path reaches a bulldozed track that continues steadily up the broad ridge, taking a wide detour to the right to pass a steeper section at 800m. You can either stay on the track or branch left at a cairn and follow the more direct line of the old path for a long section. Back on the track follow it until it cuts just to the right of the stony dome that is the summit of Càrn a'Chlamain.

Stage 7

Leave the track here on a stony path to complete the final short section of the ascent. The summit cairn of Càrn a'Chlamain is a Munro at 963 metres; the view impresses most with its wildness and feeling of immense space.

Stage 8

Return by the route of ascent back down to the floor of the glen. Once back in Glen Tilt there are several options for the return. You could simply reverse the route of ascent, or make it a little easier by crossing Gaw's Bridge and then later on Cumhann Leum bridge to return all along the valley floor. The third option is to make a return a little higher on the eastern side of Glen Tilt, as described as the return leg of the Glen Tilt circuit.

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