Bynack More and Creag Mhòr from Glenmore

On the south side of Aviemore, there is a roundabout, from where the road towards Cairngorm Mountain begins. It's a journey of around 10km passing lovely Loch Morlich on the way. After entering Glenmore, pass the Visitor Centre, then turn left and drive the 1km to the end of the road and try and park on the roadside just beyond the entrance to Glenmore Lodge.

This area can be a tad congested, so if parking is not possible here, return towards the main road by Glenmore Visitor Centre, then turn left and there is a parking area by the bridge over the Allt Bàn (daily charge of £4 at tìme of writing).

From the end of the road, head around a barrier, then folllow a good estate track heading initially east. After around 2km, you'll come to An Lochan Uaine , the 'green lochan', it's worth stopping here to take in the atmosphere. No one quite knows why the loch is quite so green and there are legends surrounding this weird place.

A further 500m on from the lochan, the track comes to a junction - left will take you to Ryvoan Bothy, Abernethy and the eastern foot of Meall a' Bhuachaille. Turn right for the track aiming towards Bynack More.

Bynack Mòr from Strath Nethy

Bynack Mòr from Strath Nethy

Hikers above the foot of Bynack More

Over the bridge and now on a well maintained path, aim south-east uphill. The path climbs gently, most fell-runners will be able to run up the gradient. I have cycled up this, but the frequency of drainage slabs took its toll on my tyres and I ended up with a puncture !

After climbing around 300m, the gradient levels out, then a further 1km on, at around c780m, a cairn marks a junction in the path where the main path should be left by veering right.

Nearing Bynack More's summit, Meall a' Bhuachaille beyond

Nearing Bynack More's summit, Meall a' Bhuachaille beyond

Creag Mhòr from the path above Corrie of the Barns

From the cairn at c780m, keep left (east), staying on the main path as it heads south-east and begins to drop gradually into Coire Odhar. The path becomes quite rough and the ground in Coire Odhar becomes sodden around the burn crossing . The path improves later as it contours around the eastern aspect of Bynack More, climbs up through heather and then drops again, this tìme into the Corrie of the Barns .

Now at the foot of Creag Mhor, aim directly (south-east) for the summit. It's a climb of only 250m, with the initial ascent through rough heather which easies as height is gained. Creag Mhòr's rocky summit comes into view and when reached, to touch the top there's a bit of easy scrambling.

Retrace your route back to the Corrie of the Barns , then head north back up the path for around 500m. At a convenient point, leave the path and strike directly up the fall-line of Bynack More's eastern face. Some boulders and heather impede progress on the steep ground lower down, but higher up the gradient and terrain ease and a gentle walk reaches Bynack More's summit .

The Barns of Bynack

From Bynack More's summit, you could just re-trace your steps and return north, but for more interest, head further south for a detour of 500m and a drop of around 50m to investigate The Barns of Bynack - a weird group of granite tors.

To the north-west of Bynack More's summit is Bynack Beg . This Munro Top has a fine view back down Strath Nethy and a faint path can be traced from the col between it and Bynack More back to the the foot of Bynack More for the return to Glenmore.