Corbett · Cairngorms
A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)
A' Chaoirnich — also known as Maol Creag an Loch — is a remote, double-topped Corbett in the empty Gaick Forest country between Glen Tromie and Glen Bruar, south of Aviemore. At 875m the hill is broad and featureless, more a high moorland plateau than a peak, but it commands enormous views of the southern Cairngorms and the wide spread of Drumochter beyond. The Gaick is one of the quietest deer-forest landscapes in the eastern Highlands; many baggers find this is the most distant Corbett-day from any road they will undertake.
Quick facts
- Height
- 875.7m/ 2873ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 770 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN735807
- Parking
- NN789998
- Nearest
- Fort William· Inverness 65km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
estate track 35% · rough heather 35% · grassy plateau 25% · summit areas 5%
Most parties start from Tromie Bridge on the B970 south of Kingussie and use a mountain bike for the long estate track approach up Glen Tromie to Bhran Cottage. From there, cross the Allt Bhran and climb pathless grass and heather east onto the broad summit plateau. The two tops are about 1km apart; the cairn at Maol Creag an Loch is the highest. Around 16km plus the cycle approach (closer to 30km on foot), with 770m of ascent. Return retraces the line.
Terrain
The Glen Tromie estate track is firm and bike-friendly for the long approach. Off the track the ground is rough peat, heather and tussock grass — slow walking, with hidden burns and peat hags. The summit plateau itself is grass and crowberry with the highest cairn easy to miss between the broad tops. No exposure or technical ground anywhere, but real navigation skill needed in mist.
In winter
Gaick is famous for its 1800 avalanche disaster on a different hill in the area, a reminder that even gentle-looking moorland country here builds dangerous slab in easterly storms. The summit plateau is featureless in whiteout. Cycling the approach is rarely feasible in winter. Daylight is the main constraint; total distances mean most parties bivvy or split the trip across two days.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 28m
- Edinburgh3h 31m
OS maps: OS Landranger 42
Mobile signal: No signal across the Gaick Forest interior
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 21:55
- Civil dawn
- 03:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:55
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch) on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dalwhinnie station
Highest mainline station; Drumochter Munros; Ben Alder approach
11km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Pitlochry
Perthshire base — Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo, Ben Vrackie
30km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
11km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch) — common questions
- How hard is A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)?
- A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch) is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 770m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Glen Tromie estate track is firm and bike-friendly for the long approach.
- Where do I park for A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)?
- Standard parking is at NN789998 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)?
- The standard good-weather months for A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch) are May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch)?
- No signal across the Gaick Forest interior
- Is A' Chaoirnich (Maol Creag an Loch) safe in winter?
- Gaick is famous for its 1800 avalanche disaster on a different hill in the area, a reminder that even gentle-looking moorland country here builds dangerous slab in easterly storms. The summit plateau is featureless in whiteout. Cycling the approach is rarely feasible in winter. Daylight is the main constraint; total distances mean most parties bivvy or split the trip across two days.