This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
658 m
An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.
Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.
Route Time
4.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
14.46 km
The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
Easy route, mainly on heather and grass, starting from high altitude. Some steep slopes.
Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.
We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.
Travel Information
Head to: Dalwhinnie
From Dalwhinnie (A889) travel S to junction with A9 then N to start of track, 500m S of Cuaich Cottages.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 658 metres. Allow 4.5 hours to complete this 14.46 km route.
In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.
The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.
Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.
The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.
Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.
Route Information
Waypoint Detail
Start from layby on A9 road
NN65478670
Distance
Altitude 345 m
1
Head SE to join road by aqueduct
NN65658652
Distance 0.28 km
Altitude 368 m
2
Continue E on road/track by aqueduct to junction by Loch Cuaich
NN68988710
Distance 3.65 km
Altitude 400 m
3
Bear ESE 700m by Allt Coire Chuaich
NN69548685
Distance 0.71 km
Altitude 450 m
4
Ascend NE to Shoulder of Stac Meall Chuaich
NN70798792
Distance 1.72 km
Altitude 820 m
5
Ascend E to summit of Meall Chuaich
NN71658785
Distance 0.87 km
Altitude 951 m
6
Reverse route to return
NN65478670
Distance 7.23 km
Altitude 345 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 7 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Ian Munro
on 29 Oct 2007:
The walk in and out is not exactly thrilling, but there is certainly interest in the aqueduct and the various hydro buildings and features. The ascent is short and sweet and all of the effort is justified by the exceptional views all around.
Written by
William Bower
on 24 Mar 2004:
Enjoyable walk once the tedium of the walk in along the aqueduct road was behind you. I did this walk in early March which gave fantastic views over to the snow covered Cairngorms and along the trench of Loch Ericht to the Ben Alder Forest
Written by
Stephen Graham
on 02 Jun 2003:
An easy and pleasant munro with some fantastic views, especially down Loch Ericht to Ben Alder. I used a mountain bike to get from the road to the (locked) bothy at the base of the hill and that certainly shortens what would otherwise be a tedious walk-in.
Written by
Terry Thomson
on 02 Mar 2003:
The ascent of this Munro is straight forward in clear conditions, with good views of this rugged area. However, as we found, careful navigation is required from Stac Meall Chuaich to Meall Chuaich. The ascent was rather boggy due to snow melt. Never-the-less this was an enjoyable route.
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map,
a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
