Marilyn News Centre Marhofn Title page Contents

Previous | Contents | Next

Tips for the Tops

Beinn na Gainimh (1A, LR52)

Andy Hyams: There is a double-thickness electric fence running NW of the summit which obstructs the route from Glen Lochan recommended by Andrew Dempster's 'Grahams' book. It continues SE to link with a wall between Geal Charn and Am Bodach.

Beinn Mhic Chasgaig (3C, LR41)

Andy Hyams: The infamous Alltchaorunn gate is now open to walkers, but the penalty is that we are meant to use a waymarked route over boggy ground rather than the track past the cottage.

Leana Mhor (9C, LR34, 678m)

Harrold Thomson: Don't try to access this via the bridge over the River Roy shown on the OS map at NN296846 - it no longer exists (although it's been a substantial bridge in its day). We walked down from the 'Stone' shown on the OS map, on a fairly well-defined path, to be faced with a raging torrent and no bridge. We settled for the western Leana Mhor instead. (AD: I remember that bridge required a nervous crawl back in 1993.)

Burach (10C, LR34)

Miles Hutchinson: Andrew Fraser and others have reported heavy going in the forests of Burach. From the small car park above Loch Ness (off the A82 at about NH390108), a good path by the Allt na Criche clears the forest, petering out at a viewpoint, complete with a substantial cafe table (no chairs unfortunately). This proved an excellent marker for regaining the path on our descent.

Beinn a'Mheadhoin (11A, LR25, 414m)

Andy Hyams: The stalkers' path above Camus-luinie is well defined, but the starting point is not easy to locate. It is between two fences, just south of a new bungalow.

Sgurr Marcasaidh, Creag Loch nan Dearcag (12A)

Andy Hyams: You can drive up from Contin to Loch Luichart dam. From there a path winds through bracken to Glenmarksie Farm. There is a vehicle track (not shown on LR26) beside Allt a'Ghlinne, from which both hills can easily be climbed, although there are several deer fences to negotiate.

Carn an Tionail (16B, LR16)

Andy Hyams: The bridge over Allt na Glaise mentioned in Andrew Dempster's 'Grahams' book was destroyed in the summer 2007 deluges. However, the burn is easily fordable in non-spate conditions and is easiest if tackled above its junction with Allt Coir a'Chruiteir.

Tom an t-Saighdeir (19A, LR55)

Alan Dawson: Since reading Jon Metcalf's helpful and detailed account of his heroic failures and eventual success on this little blighter eight years ago, I've found excuses to steer clear until I finally ran out of other day-trip options. It turned out to be such a doddle I didn't even get my boots wet or a twig in my face. We drove along the forest track to NM982161 and could have gone further, but a better bet is to go straight up from the road just east of the burn at 978153. From there it's five minutes to the track on easy short grass through open trees (you can still see the road from the track). The key to a pleasant ascent is the lovely grassy path that begins just west of the burn, round the big bend in the track. It's good walking almost all the way if you stick to the green path and don't get distracted by the brown twiggy tracks. No GPS or stick required. Just one obstacle though - a fallen tree at one point requires a short detour into a ditch. So it would be helpful if the next person up there takes a hand-saw and an old pair of thick gloves to clear this and turn the hill into a wee gem (almost).

Cruach Lerags (19A, LR49)

image from source document

As reported last year, the track shown above has gone from recent maps but is still there as a path, so it's a pleasant and easy way of getting to NM843256. After that it's not so easy.

Sgorach Mor / Creag a'Chanuill (19C, LR56)

Alan Dawson: The 1:25000 map shows a track from the south that goes up to 350m at NS086846. From there a short easy break leads to the rocky outcrops of Sgorach Beag and Mor. After going on to Creag a'Chanuill you can take a direct descent through the trees alongside a double burn at 097840. It's a bit steep lower down but nothing difficult and good fun.

Pikethaw Hill and Wisp Hill (28B, LR79)

Janet Clark: When heading for these two hills, south-west of Mosspaul on the A7 between Hawick and Langholm, please avoid parking at the access road for Eweslees or on the nearby bridge. This has been the scene of serious traffic accidents, one involving the farmer's wife. Use a layby further south or go in and enquire at the farm if you would like to park there.

Gyrn Moelfre (30E, LR125)

Jeff Parr: If requested, permission is always granted by the gentleman of Moelfre Hall to park in the yard. There is a track behind the hall which leads almost to the summit.

Manod Mawr (30D, LR124)

Andy Hyams: Manod quarry is operational and served by a road up Cwm Teigl, so time your visit when activity and blasting is least likely - Welsh Sundays do have some advantages, at least now that the pubs open.

Carnedd Wen (31A, LR125)

David Rawden: I parked on the side of A458 around SH950129. I couldn't cross the stream there so I went to the farm at 952126. Lady there said it was ok to use the track starting on their land, since I'd asked permission. They weren't happy about walkers who didn't. Good gravel track in open country and forest leads up to the summit.

Pegwn Mawr (31B, LR136)

David Rawden: Occupants of the bungalow at SO009819 are amenable to leaving a car there. Gravel road from gate by the farm leads up to the wind farm and summit.

Llan Ddu Fawr (Waun Claerddu) (31C, LR135)

David Rawden: Parking available by cattle grid at SN785683. Nearby track leads in the right direction. I wouldn't have wanted to do this in bad visibility - a lot of boggy ground that can mainly be avoided. The trig is surrounded by a splendid shelter, and the summit, a little way off, has a large cairn.

Crugiau Merched (31C, LR146)

David Rawden: Parking is available by a small historic chapel at Bwlch-y-Rhiw. Lady in bungalow helpful - she directed me to gates and a track leading up the hill. Care is needed to branch off to the right or you meet some very boggy ground.

Mickle Fell (35A, LR91/92)

Andy Hyams: Many of you will know that this hill (and its Hewitt and Dewey outliers) is within an extensive and active military range. I found (but did not touch) shell cases on a recent visit. There are plenty of notices at access points giving the relatively few days when live firing does not take place, but for those of you not wishing to chance to luck, the following dates have been designated for public access in 2008: 25-26 May; 5-6, 12-13 July; 2-3, 24-25 Aug; 4-5 Oct; 1-2 Nov; 24-31 Dec. There are also two useful contact numbers: an access line on 0800 7835181 and the range warden on 01768 343235.

Previous | Contents | Next


Marilyn News Centre Marhofn Title page Contents