From wild mountain plateau to woodland that’s slowly returning to life, Creag Meagaidh feels like the Highlands compressed into one reserve. The final section of the walk is particularly stunning passing through some ancient alder woods, with bird cherry, holly and willow. But I guess, you disagree. Details for Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve Car Park a Overnight parking - no services Kinloch Laggan, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom, PH20 1BX NNR Carpark just off main road 6 vans parked up when we arrived plenty At a clear junction, ignore the red pine marten signpost and take the right hand branch which climbs gently. Good view of the surrounding hills and there is a large picnic area and a bird-blind screening some bird feeders. Exactly what you want for a walk! Creag Meagaidh is principally an ice venue so a decent rack of screws is very helpful, and the turfy and compact nature of the rock can make a hook and a few pegs handy as well. A nice, crisp morning and all the hills were well clear. Continue up some stone steps by a boundary wall to a lovely viewpoint with an information board. Shortly after which the path heads through a lovely section of ancient birch and alder woodland. The walk passes over a board walk section across more boggy ground, with cotton grass (including Eriophorum angustifolium and Eriophorum vaginatum) purple moor grass and willow. The first part of this moderate walk, which follows a very good path, passes through the regenerating woodland of the National Nature Reserve. It's a great opportunity to work on a remote Highland reserve and gain valuable practical work experience. The actual summit of Creag Meagaidh is several hundred metres further west, where the plateau narrows into a ridge, and it's marked by a less monumental cairn. Creag Meagaidh's not-so-large summit cairn is a further 500m or so onwards, from where the views are wonderful. A beautiful walk starting with lots of bird and wild life from the start. mountains, Creag Meagaidh is a magical place where pioneering conservation work is bringing trees back to the high, rounded hillsides. The walk follows a gravel track through meadow with the land managed as it would have been in former times by local crofters/farmers. In addition, there is an interpretation board, next to a picnic bench and affording view over the river (Alt Coire Ardair), celebrating the magic and biodiversity of the alder  and birch woodlands. 4. The meadows are dominated by pignut (Conopodium majus), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea). Head west down the open slopes and over the insignificant swelling of Meall an t-Snaim. The route has some steep sections but for much of the way rises fairly gently to the lochan along a very good gravel path. However, I had the chance to go in from the Braeroy side this week. From the lochan there is a clear path down the north bank of the Allt Coire Ardair. The dramatic scenery here includes Munro summits, an exposed whaleback ridge and ice-carved gullies. This is the second Munro at 1053 metres. Creag Meagaidh is connected to the ridge containing the Munros Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Carn Liath via an unusually sharp bealach called 'The Window'. A guided walk around Corie Ardair and up to the summit of Creag Meagaidh encompassing it’s entire horseshoe – offer in both summer and winter conditions. The Creag Meagaidh circuit is one of the classic walks in the Highlands and allows no fewer than three Munros to be climbed relatively easily in one day. Creag Meagaidh & the 4 tops - 70s girl group? Oh the joy of pathless open moorland. Scmccabe : 05/10/2020: From the Car park via the window. Circuit of Creag Meagaidh and it's tops. Down from Sron a' Choire to track via NE ridge. With Debs & Tali. Great views. Mountain Goat: 02/10/2020 Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve: Amazing walk - See 34 traveller reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. There are excellent views across to the great crags of Creag Meagaidh behind Coire Ardair, relieving the monotony of the slope. This traverse also takes in two further neighbouring Munros and makes for a memorable day. Crab Crawl: Creag Meagaidh's most unusual route was first climbed solo by winter legend Tom Patey in 1969. Creag Meagaidh is a vast plateau, and one of the higher mountains of the central Highlands - … Creag Meagaidh is a great swathe of cliffs and deep corries when seen from the A86. The views are superb and when I first walked the loop a decade ago, the conditions worsened so by the time we reached the third summit of Creag Meagaidh, we could hardly see a thing due to rain and mist.In fact, we struggled to spot the cairn at the top. Other possible sightings include pipits, willow warblers, wren, greater spotted woodpecker, blackbird, song thrush, robin; to mention a few. Combining Creag Meagaidh with these peaks makes for a fine circuit with options of returning through Coire Ardair or staying high over Puist Coire Ardair for long-lasting views. It was only a matter of time before the flat, meandering path deteriorated into a scramble up a bolder field! The cliffs above Creag Meagaidh's Coire Ardair are famed for winter climbing. There is a short, steep little ascent from here to reach Sron Coire a'Chriochairein. A pretty straightforward walk this one, but another 3 munros in the bag. This is a fabulous walk (or run) with A long and pleasant walk in from Aberarder … Walkin’ the dog. meagaidhadmin 22nd March 2020 6:51 am Hi John, In some ways I agree with you. This 2015 walk completes a clockwise loop around Coire Ardair to visit the three munros associated with Creag Meagaidh. 13th March 2020. Trees weren’t growing here. Poor mountain day 7th March 2020 (Above) Not a great day in prospect with a walk (in rain – clearing at times) to investigate some recent debris seen middle of slope center, on Sron a Ghoire. This walk provides a great opportunity to see a range of woodland birds including, siskins, redpoll, tits, and finches on the multiple feeders throughout the woodland. Turn right at the information boards and then right again as directed. This traverse also takes in two further neighbouring Munros and makes for a memorable day. Continue down the path right back to the start. Does your firm want to sponsor this route. The Creag Meagaidh Circuit, including three Munros, Carn Liath, Stob Poite Coire Ardair and Creag Meagaidh, is one to save for good weather. A comfortable and modern home Creag Meagaidh stands in the village of Newtonmore which has a wonderful circular route around it called the Wildcat Trail. Often mistaken for the summit of Creag Meagaidh by visitors. Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve: Perfect location for a quiet walk. Rugged mountain walk. Park at in car park Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, clearly signposted off the A88, at Aberarder. The walk-in to Creag Meagaidh along the Coire Ardair path from Aberader is one of absolute pleasure. Home » Blog » Creag Meagaidh, 30 Nov-1 Dec'19. The skyline is at about 900m. with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice. Creag Meagaidh group Home Up The high plateau of the Creag Meagaidh group is dominated by Coire Ardair and its spectacular winter climbing cliffs and constitutes a good days walk over the five munros to complete all the Munros in this district. Once passed the farmhouse, the path begins to ascend more steeply passing through heathland with natural woodland regeneration. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. It’s a fair walk in to Creag Meagaidh it took us around 2 hours to reach the wee loch at the foot of the Munro so after a little photo break we took on the first climb of the day. A short ascent along this ridge brings the cairn of Creag Meagaidh into view. You don’t need more of my words: just go hear it for yourself. A stunning walk with fabulous hill views to lochan a Choire in Coire Ardair, following the watercourse, Allt Coire Ardair, in the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve. As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.There are 63 user reports for this walk - click to read them. The walk starts at the information boards for the reserve and is signposted with lilac alder logo. (Above) Still plenty of snow for ski access above 400m – although it would have been a soggy affair …foot soldiering today in the wet snow . Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the complete mountain experience. Open start point in Google Maps for directions. There are a few events each year organised by Scottish National Heritage for which booking is essential, please contact SNH at Aviemore for details. The intention is to restore the wildwood of Glen Spean by reducing, but not eliminating, deer numbers to restore the natural dynamics of woodland regeneration. Natural woodland regeneration is being actively encouraged on the reserve by removal of sheep and by reducing deer numbers (roe, Sitka and red deer). Creag Meagaidh is a magnificent massif, a bare plateau fringed by some of the grandest cliffs in Scotland. The map can be resized and dragged using your mouse. Why not join us as a volunteer at Creag Meagaidh NNR? Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy. 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