Geal Chàrn from Dorback

Dorback

The village of Nethy Bridge lies around halfway between Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey.

An unclassified road heads east from Nethy Bridge aiming for the A939 and around 3km along this road there is a junction, from where a narrow road heads south-east towards the Dorback and the Braes of Abernethy.

At the end of this road there is limited parking by a turning circle and a block of stables.

Old gate on Geal Charn's crest

On a fine track heading downhill, go through a gate and pass derelict Dorback Lodge and a couple of other houses. Bear right after some dog-pens and follow the track downhill for a bit, to pass a wood then over a bridge . The views from here open up.

Continue heading south-east on the fine track, gradually climbing uphill up on a gentle incline, just perfect for sustained running or jogging if you're in that frame of mind !

After around 6km, the track reaches a small green hut just beyond which is the highest point on the track below Càrn Ruadh-bhreac. The track continues beyond the hut, dropping slightly before turning westwards and climbing up Geal Chàrn Beag's north-eastern shoulder. The track ends just beyond an unusual memorial with a long slate sword embedded into stone. Thereafter ATV tracks and a faint path continue for a bit before disappearing into tussocky wet ground and peat-hags - making for tiring progress while ascending the gradual rising ground.

Higher up and as gradient easies, a broken line of fence posts is reached travelling along the crest from Geal Chàrn Beag to Geal Charn, and progress becomes more enjoyable over the stunted heather ground-cover.

Superb views across to Ben Avon and the Cairngorm plateau to the west and Ben Rinnes to the Moray First to the north can be savoured on clear days while making rapid progress along the plateau. A small cairn marks Geal Chàrn's summit .

Descending Geal Chàrn back to Dorback

From Geal Chàrn's summit cairn, a line of fence posts heading north-west indicates the beginning of the descent route along the hill's crest. As height is lost, the crest of the hill gradually turns northwards and the fence-posts are left behind. The stunted heather underfoot gradually becomes thicker, but still enjoyable enough to bound down over.

Lower down, the Allt na h-Eirghe is reached and crossed, then after continuing for a short distance over grassy and slightly wet ground, a track is picked up and followed to the ruined cottages at Upper Dell .

Beyond Upper Dell and once through a gate in a fence, a sharp left turn is taken and a faint track is followed to cross Dorback Burn and return to the road end.