Ground Conditions: End of September and well into autumn. It has been a very hot summer, with serious fires in the Cairngorms centered around the area of Bynach More. Now, after some rain the ground is not as dry and there have been reports of the rivers being hard to cross. [September 2026]

Ascent of Meall Chuaich

Meall Chuaich is set well east of the A9 but is easily accessible due to the power station up the valley. Indeed some people will cycle to the foot of the hill from the A9 along the good road then track. Meall Chuaich is an isolated hill and has some good views over to the main Cairngorm hills and also south towards Perthshire.

Park at the roadside layby just N of Dalwhinnie village; on the grass verge either side of the gate.

Section 1: To the summit of Meall Chuaich
Distance: 7 kms. | Ascent: 630 m. | Estimated Time: 3 hrs. 20 min.
Start through the gate and then walk or cycle along the tarmaced road to the junction just short of the loch (NN690870). Here is a building where it is convenient to leave a cycle if needed. Continue along this track for 0.5km. then ascend the steep south west ridge of the hill. Follow the steep ridge to the shoulder and then east onto the main summit. The higher slopes are much easier walking than lower down due to lower vegitation and stones underfoot. The final slopes of Meall Chuaich are stony but the summit is flat and mossy. The top is marked with a cairn.

Section 2: Back down to the valley
Distance: 5 kms. | Ascent: 170 m. | Estimated Time: 1 hrs. 50 min.
There is not much option to returning except by the uphill route. Follow the top ridge west and then descend the south west spur of the hill to the building. this is where cyclists have an advantage - it is an exhilarating and speedy descent on the tracks back to the start - a more restrained final descent is required of walkers.

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