Cairngorms Walks
Craigellachie
Date: 27th May 2005
Distance: 3.8 miles
Ascent: 888 feet
Time: 1 hours 45 mins
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NH989061
Walk Summary:
A short walk exploring the Craigellachie Nature Reserve including a visit to the top of Craigellachie itself.
Route Summary: A straightforward route mainly using the 'Green' trail in the nature reserve with an extended 'there and back' detour to the top of Craigellachie.
Pictures:
1. Looking through the trees to Craigellachie Reservoir
2. A beetle
3. Craigellachie Rock
4. Looking across to Creagan Gorm and Meall a'Bhuacaille
5. Lochan Dubh and the more distant Loch Alvie and Loch Insh
6. The large cairn on the top of Craigellachie
7. Geal Mor Chan
8. Looking down at Aviemore
9. Young silver birch
10. Craigellachie Reservoir
Walk Detail: After an earlier visit to the Craigellachie Nature Reserve a few days before I wanted to return for a closer look and if possible walk up to the top of Craigellachie itself. That morning we had been to Loch Garten RSPB site and after lunch back in the cabin Lisa, Val and Dave all said they were too tired for another walk so I did this one on my own.
The walk basically takes the higher and longer green nature trail from the entrance to Craigellachie to start with before a path branches off about half way round to climb up on to the ridge. Along the way I practised some more macro photography and got a decent picture of a beetle. As I climbed higher the trees thinned out although there was a pleasant stretch among some young silver birch.
The path along the top basically followed a number of cairns up to the most impressive specimen which was at the highest point of 493m, which also had a great view of Lochan Dubh and then down to Loch Alvie. From the top I headed further along the path to some of the lower cairns hoping I might come across a path to Creag na h-lolaire and one of the Monadliath tops behind it.
I was unable to find any such route which was probably just as well as I was expected back at a certain time and besides the forecast rain looked like it was about to make its appearance. The route back was the same until I reached the green nature trail that I then followed to its conclusion. Along the way I passed Craigellachie Reservoir, which is such a lovely place, I had to stop for a while before heading back to the cabin.
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