Carn Glas-choire from the Dava Moor
Biking route up Carn Glas-choire from near Lochindorb on the Dava Moor
On wind-farm roads and estate tracks, this route to Carn Glas-choire is cycleable all the way to the high ground close to the summit. The route is best biked anti-clockwise allowing the steeper ground to be descended at pace !
Route outline
| Fionas | ||||
| Walk ascent | 50m (160ft) | |||
| distance | 2km (1m) | |||
| time | 0:30hr | |||
| Bike ascent | 700m (2290ft) | |||
| distance | 35km (22m) | |||
| time | 2:20hr | |||
| Start/finish | Old Military Road on Dava Moor Grid Ref : NH942383 | |||
| Terrain |
| |||
| Nav |
| |||
| Effort |
| |||
| Scenery |
| |||
The route traverses wind farm roads and estate tracks over the undulating terrain of the vast Dava Moor. It passes through stretches of peat bog and weaves among striking rocky formations as it crosses the plateau surrounding Carn Glas-choire.
At the summit of Carn Glas-choire, a trig point stands beside the remnants of a cairn, offering fine views towards the Cairngorms, Ben Rinnes, and the Moray Firth.
This is a highly rideable route, with the cycling extending almost all the way to the summit. Only a short walk over grass and heather is required to reach the top.
The estate tracks, bothies and grouse butts suggest this is an area in prime 'sporting' country !
Show map
Route description
1. Getting to the Dava Moor
Entrance to Tom nan Clach Wind Farm
The B9007 travels from near Carrbridge nothwards towards Forres crossing the vast expanse of the Dava Moor. Around 3km north of the junction with the narrow road that heads around Lochindorb is the access road for the Tom nan Clach wind farm. There is ample parking for several cars by the side of this entrance.
The route returns to the roadside by Auchterteang Farm, some 13km south of the start point. Should you wish to park here instead, then there is some space around 300m to the south of the access to the farm, by the entrance of a forestry road.
2. Carn Glas-choire
Wind farm track with Carn Glas-choire in distance
Begin your ride by following the wind farm road as it crosses gently undulating ground for 8km, ignoring any side tracks.
The road dips to cross a burn, where a junction appears 
with tracks heading north and south.
Take the left track heading south. Cross through a gate and over a cattle grid.
Continue on the track as it climbs gently through heather on the ground to the south of Carn a' Gharbh-ghlaic, before dropping to a grass-covered patch surrounding a burn. Nestled to the side of this is a small bothy and pony-shelter 
.
By the bothy, the track leads directly uphill on the shoulder of Carn Glas-choire.
The rough track gains about 100m in elevation and eventually reaches a junction 
.
Turn onto the steep track to the right, which climbs up Leac an Daimh aiming directly for Carn Glas-choire. Higher up the track dips, turns through peat bog and past rocky outcrops and onto the plateau surrounding Carn Glas-choire.
At a suitable point by the highest point on the track 
, leave your bike, turn south-west and walk a short distance to the summit 
across pathless ground covered in soft grass and heather.
Looking up Leac an Daimh to Carn Glas-choire
Looking up Leac an Daimh to Carn Glas-choire
3. Return
On Carn Glas-choire's summit, looking to the Cairngorms
From Carn Glas-choire's summit, return to your bike, then begin descending down the track heading south-east. The track becomes progressively steeper and smoother - a real hoot to free-wheel down !
As the track evens out, it reaches junction 
- turn left onto another estate track, pass a smart green bothy of Garrochar, and continue to a large deer fence 
with a gate and cattle grid.
Bothy at Garrochar, looking back up Tom nan Gabhar and Carn Glas-choire
. From here, the track leads to the roadside 
from where a 13km cycle back along the quiet B9007 returns to the wind farm access road.Bothy at Garrochar, looking back up Tom nan Gabhar and Carn Glas-choire
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
|
Download GPX of route |
|
Open route in OS Maps |
Information on maps and GPX files is on this page.
The map images above link to items on Amazon. A small commission is earned on any map purchased which helps fund the operating costs of this website.
Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
Carn nan Tri-tighearnan from Moy | |
|
A cycle through Moy Wind Farm leads up onto heather-clad moorland leaving just under 2km on foot to reach the summit of Carn nan Tri-tighearnan Peaks : 1 Fiona
Ascent : 470m (1540ft) Distance : 20km (12m) Time : 2:40hr |
Carn na h-Easgainn from Strathdearn | |
|
Several options for hiking or biking up the estate tracks and windfarm roads to reach Carn na h-Easgainn, the highest point on the moorland overlooking Tomatin Peaks : 1 Fiona
Ascent : 500m (1640ft) Distance : 12km (7m) Time : 3:50hr |
Cromdale Hills | |
|
The long and undulating heather-clad ridge that forms the Hills of Cromdale, overlooks Speyside to the west and Strath Avon to the east. The wide ridge features two significant summits, Carn a' Ghille Chearr and Creagan a' Chaise, and a few rather large cairns. Peaks : 2 Fionas
Ascent : 750m (2460ft) Distance : 20km (12m) Time : 6:15hr |
Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes and Dufftown | |
|
This route up Ben Rinnes begins from the Glack Harnes col and is a straightforward up-and-down following a track and well-defined footpath. The Ben Rinnes Hill Race extends the route further by starting from Dufftown. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 530m (1740ft) Distance : 8km (5m) Time : 2:45hr |
Carn na Saobhaidhe from Strathdearn | |
|
Route taking a cycle along Strathdearn to the heart of the Monadhliath wilderness, followed by a hike over moorland to Carn na Saobhaidhe above the many turbines of Corriegarth windfarm. Peaks : 1 Corbett
Ascent : 630m (2070ft) Distance : 30km (19m) Time : 3:45hr |
