Meall Chuaich from the A9 at Cuaich

The walk starts from lay-by 94 on the east side of the A9, a short way south of the cottages at Cuaich. It follows the verge north to a gate and a track, then a track beside a concrete aqueduct to the small Cuaich hydro-electric station. The track continues up the glen towards Loch Cuaich and turns up the glen of the Allt Coire Chuaich, past a locked private bothy. A path, usually marked by a small cairn, climbs the wide shoulder of Stac Meall Chuaich, and a last stony rise leads to the big summit cairn. Return the same way.

It is 14.7 km (9.1 miles) with 604 m (1,980 ft) of ascent; allow about 5¼ hours. The grade is Moderate.

The climb is plain, but the summit, 951 m, is an excellent viewpoint: north over Badenoch and Strathspey, with the Cairngorms to the north-east and the vast plateaux of Drumochter and Gaick to the south and east. The little power station generates 2.5 MW, and the aqueduct carries its water on to Loch Ericht.

Tracks lead most of the way, then an eroded, stony path. The top is exposed, so carry hill clothing.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.