Carn a' Choire Ghairbh

Hill, Mountain in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Carn a' Choire Ghairbh

View over Gleann na CÃ¬che Looking across the glen, and the Allt na Cìche flowing past. The lower slopes are within a fenced area, now being restored as native woodland. Plenty of birch trees growing. — View over Gleann na CÃ¬che Credit: Craig Wallace

Carn a' Choire Ghairbh is a prominent hill located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is part of the Cairngorms National Park and stands at an impressive height of 1,065 meters (3,494 feet). The hill is situated in the eastern section of the park, near the town of Aviemore.

Carn a' Choire Ghairbh is well-known amongst hikers and mountaineers due to its challenging yet rewarding ascent. The hill features steep and rugged slopes, with rocky outcrops and scree fields that add to the excitement and difficulty of the climb. The summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the vast wilderness of the Cairngorms and the sparkling waters of Loch Morlich.

The hill is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, adding to its natural beauty. Blankets of heather, grasses, and wildflowers cover the lower slopes, while higher up, hardy alpine plants can be found clinging to the rocks. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot a variety of bird species, including golden eagles, ptarmigans, and grouse, as well as the occasional red deer.

Access to Carn a' Choire Ghairbh is possible from several starting points, with the most popular being from the ski resort of CairnGorm Mountain. Hikers are advised to come well-prepared, as the weather conditions on the hill can change rapidly, and navigation skills may be required in certain sections.

Overall, Carn a' Choire Ghairbh offers outdoor enthusiasts a challenging and memorable mountain experience, with its stunning views, rugged terrain, and abundant wildlife.

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Carn a' Choire Ghairbh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.222571/-5.0876796 or Grid Reference NH1318. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View over Gleann na CÃ¬che

Looking across the glen, and the Allt na Cìche flowing past. The lower slopes are within a fenced area, now being restored as native woodland. Plenty of birch trees growing.

Craig Wallace

Track by the Allt na CÃ¬che

The main track along Gleann na Cìche. Some meanders in the river are getting close to the track edge. Here it is eroding and flooding part of the track.

Craig Wallace

Track down Gleann na CÃ¬che

The track heading towards Athnamulloch. Plenty of birch and Scots pine trees on both sides of the track.

Craig Wallace

Track down Gleann na CÃ¬che

Running alongside the Allt na Cìche.

Craig Wallace

Collapsed track, Gleann na CÃ¬che

A bend in the Allt na Cìche has been eroding the bank over a number of years. A section of the track has now collapsed into the river.

Craig Wallace

Collapsed track, Gleann na CÃ¬che

A bend in the Allt na Cìche has been eroding the bank over a number of years. A section of the track has now collapsed into the river.

Craig Wallace

Athnamulloch Bothy

In use as accommodation for Trees for Life volunteers.

Craig Wallace

Wych elm, Gleann na CÃ¬che

An old Wych elm tree (Ulmus glabra), on the eastern slopes of Gleann na Cìche. It is one of the only large elm trees in this area. The isolated location means it is unlikely to get infected by Dutch elm disease. It has been named the 'Last Ent of Affric'. It is designated as a 'Tree of National Special Interest', and was voted Scotland's Tree of the Year in 2019.

Craig Wallace

Wych elm, Gleann na CÃ¬che

A close look at the trunk and branches of an old Wych elm tree (Ulmus glabra), on the eastern slopes of Gleann na Cìche. It is one of the only large elm trees in this area. The isolated location means it is unlikely to get infected by Dutch elm disease. It has been named the 'Last Ent of Affric'. It is designated as a 'Tree of National Special Interest', and was voted Scotland's Tree of the Year in 2019.

Craig Wallace

River Affric Reflections

As seen from the bridge over the River Affric near Strawberry Cottage. Lovely reflections of distant mountains and trees. Mullach Fraoch choire is the mountain at left and just seen in far distance is Beinn Fhada.

Adam Ward

River Affric at Strawberry Cottage

Strawberry Cottage is an excellent hillwalking and mountaineering base, a shorter walk from the car park than the youth hostel at Altbeithe, but without the sense of remoteness and peacefulness.

Marion Boyle

Athnamulloch

Probably the last shieling in Scotland; I witnessed transhumance here in the 1980s. A farmer from Cannich would spend the summer in the house while the cattle wandered Glen Affric. The cattle would be driven home at the end of the Summer. One of the duties of the youth hostel warden at Alltbeithe was to keep an eye on the cattle. Athnamulloch is now used as bothy accommodation for those working in the Caledonian Forest Reserve.

Richard Webb

Glen na CÃ¬che

View up Glen na Cìche from Glen Affric towards A' Chìoch, a top of A' Chàileag.

Richard Webb

Birch wood, Glen Affric

Regenerating birch woods near Athnamulloch.

Richard Webb

Athnamulloch

The track up Glen Affric, west of Athnamulloch. Athnamulloch was a summer dwelling for a farmer up to the 1980s, the last record of transhumance I have come across in Scotland.

Richard Webb