Creag Uchdag is a little known summit rising above the boggy plateaux and broken crags between Loch Tay and Glen Lednock. This circular route makes a high level but wet approach before making a steeper and rougher return via Loch Lednock.
Pathless; boggy plateau high up, some rockier ground, rough going for return walk alongside reservoir.
None to start.
Parking area at end of public road in Glen Lednock, can get very busy.
It used to be possible to drive up to the Loch Lednock dam, but this is no longer permitted and there is a locked gate beyond the houses, so instead begin from the car park by Coishavachan at the end of the public road up Glen Lednock. This is also the start for popular Ben Chonzie so can get very busy, there are a few places to park further back down the glen, do not obstruct passing places or gates etc. Begin by continuing along the tarmac - over the old bridge - leading up the glen, keep straight ahead passing some houses. Pass through a gate and, at a fork, take the right branch leading uphill.
As the road gains height there are good views of the cascades of the Sput Rolla down to the left - though the impressiveness of the falls depends on how much water is being released from the reservoir. At another fork keep right on the main route which winds up to reach the eastern end of the impressive Lednock dam. Fork right again - leaving the tarmac - as the road approaches the head of the dam wall. The track leads along the eastern side of Loch Lednock.
As the track approaches some woods it forks. Take the right branch, climbing steeply up the hillside. After the 530m contour high on the hill the track forks again; take the left branch this time. This leads to a gate in the post-and-wire fence (often locked) - pass through or over and then cross the Allt Mòr beyond. There used to be a bridge here but in normal conditions the burn can be crossed dryshod. Continue up the slope beyond to pass an old gate, which is all that remains of an old fence, and the open hillside beyond.
The next part of the route is boggy grass and moorland, and can be difficult to navigate in poor conditions, although following an ATV track can help. Pass a prominent large boulder and then continue across the plateau before ascending Meall Dubh Mòr (809m). Creag Uchdag now comes into view for the first time.
A faint path leads up a ridge towards the summit, which is marked by a trig point. The views are dominated by the Ben Lawers range to the north, with Ben Lui, Ben More and Stob Binnein and Ben Vorlich all well seen on a good day.
Retrace your steps to the last bealach and then descend into Coire an Eachdarra. The easiest going is by keeping to the left (south) side of the burn - the other side is rocky - and continuing down towards the head of the loch. Further down is a fence line; cross to the other side when there is a gate for easier terrain, continuing down to eventually reach a circular sheep fank close by the loch.
Head back along the shores of the loch. The going is rough and can be slow - either on traces of a faint grassy sheep path above the tide-line of the reservoir, or even on the rocky ground right beside the loch at times; it is like a much shorter version of the infamous walk along the shores of Loch Mullardoch and can be similarly overgrown with bracken. Eventually an area of fenced sheep enclosures is reached below the woodland, and a bridge over a waterfall and gorge leads back to the outward route near the dam. Continue back down the road to the start.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to walkhighlands.
