Càrn na Còinnich from Strathconon

Parking by Bridgend in Strathconon

West of Inverness, the A832 is followed through Muir of Ord to Marybank, where a narrow road meets the River Conon and leads into Strathconon. This attractive glen is dotted with small lochs and hydro schemes, the road twisting and turning past occasional houses.

Beyond the dam on Loch Meig reservoir, the road continues upstream to cross the River Meig at Bridgend. Just before the bridge is an estate entrance for Dalbreac — this is the starting point for the route, with space for a few cars to park without blocking access.

Track beginning to get rougher, Meall a' Bhogair Mòr in view ahead

From the gate, the estate track is followed west, passing a patch of forestry to reach the first house at Dalbreac . Immediately before the house, a grassy track branches off, climbing gently in switchbacks towards the forestry just left behind. Skirting its edge, the track turns south to join another rising up from Dalbreac Lodge.

Smooth underfoot, the track continues south-east around the base of Creag Ghaineamhach, fording a couple of small burns before steepening and becoming rougher as it curves southwards. A small hut is passed at around a height of 400m, after which the track veers south-east towards the slopes of Meall a’ Bhogair Mòr.

View from Meall a' Bhogair Mòr's northern cairn over Strathconon

View from Meall a' Bhogair Mòr's northern cairn over Strathconon

Càrn na Còinnich from the lochan on the bealach

From Meall a’ Bhogair Mòr, a short back-track leads to a damp, peaty bealach, crossed to gain a minor top to the south-west. On the way, Càrn na Còinnich comes into view.

The route drops west down delightful heather-clad slopes to meet the upper reaches of the estate track . Crossing the track, a small lochan is met before the climb onto the northern shoulder of Càrn na Còinnich begins.

The heather on the slope ahead looks dense at first but is easily overcome. Higher up faint traces of ATV tracks can be picked up and followed along Càrn na Còinnich's northern broad crest.

View from Càrn na Còinnich's summit towards Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn and Meallan nan Uan

View from Càrn na Còinnich's summit towards Sgùrr a' Mhuilinn and Meallan nan Uan

Descent back down to Strathconon begins

The return retraces the ATV tracks back along Càrn na Còinnich's northern crest to descend back past the lochan to regain the track . From there, the track is followed northwards to meet with the post for a fine downhill jog back to Dalbreac and Bridgend.