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Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge

By Ian Tupman   

on September 20, 2019    4/5 (1)

Posted as a walk in – Cairngorms National Park, Europe, Scotland

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge

Route Essentials

Route Summary

An ascent of Bynack More from Glenmore and return via Strath Nethy.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

27.79 km

Ascent

1590 m

Time

7.5 - 8.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

The end of the single track road at Glenmore Lodge

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

In poor visibility good navigational skills are essential as it is easy to become disorientated on the featureless, open ground beyond the summit of Bynack More.

Between June and September, the Highland midge can really spoil your day if you are not well-protected. There are various products available but Smidge seems to be effective for most people.

Weather Forecast:

MetOffice Bynack More forecast, MWIS Cairngorms forecast

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge

INTRODUCTION

Bynack More is one of the more accessible Munros. This circular route from Glenmore returns via Strath Nethy.

Walk up Bynack More Route Description

The route starts at the end of the single track road just beyond Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre. There is limited parking but be aware that at weekends and holidays, spaces fill early in the day.

From the parking area walk around the vehicle barrier and continue on the good path which passes through beautiful mixed woodland. After approximately twenty minutes you will reach Lochain Uaine,(the green lochain) on the right. Continue past the lochain to reach a split in the path. The left hand fork rises towards the Ryvoan Pass and the bothy of the same name but our route takes the right hand fork.

The stone track eventually terminates at a grassy area in front of a bridge.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Footbridge at the mouth of Strath Nethy

Cross over the bridge and keep to the path on the left where a feint path goes right. The path rises now and continues to rise up the broad north-west shoulder of Bynack More.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Looking back into Strath Nethy with Meall A’ Bhuachaille prominent

At the 750m contour the gradient eases as we approach a fork in the path. Keep right and continue due south passing over the spot height at 818m.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Approaching the end of the broad section of path

The good path now becomes less pronounced and climbs more steeply over broken ground as it rises up a narrow ridge. Keeping to the right of some crags, continue to the broad summit at 1090m, marked by a large stone cairn.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Bynack More summit

If weather conditions are poor and navigation is not your strength then it is probably best to reverse the outward route to return to the start of the walk.
The alternative is to continue from the summit in a south-south-west direction trying to follow the feint path over the open and stony ground. Soon after leaving the summit, pass a series of granite tors on your left.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Keep to the right of the granite tors

Shortly afterwards, turn west-south-west over boggy ground before rising in a south-westerly direction to reach the cairn on the summit of A’ Choinneach at 1017m.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Summit of A’ Choinneach

From here, head due south and (hopefully) enjoy the expansive views over the southern Cairngorms.
As the broad ridge begins to drop away, head south-west on the good path and continue to descend the shoulder with views up Loch Avon opening up before you.

Walk up Bynack More from Glenmore Lodge
Loch Avon (and lunch)

The path drops down to a crossroads and we turn right and into the head of Strath Nethy.

As you might expect, the path along the bottom of such a steep sided valley is boggy in places and some minor detouring will probably be required but keep to the right (east) of the stream and cross some smaller tributaries.

Keep a look out for birds of prey above the crags on the left but watch your footing on the uneven ground.

After roughly eight kilometres the path rejoins the outward path where we turn left and cross back over the bridge. From here the route follows the outward route. On a hot day, a paddle in Lochain Uaine may provide welcome relief for tired and hot feet before the final two kilometres to the finish of the walk.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

An ascent of Bynack More from Glenmore and return via Strath Nethy.

This walk includes the Munro of Bynack More

Route Start Location: The end of the single track road at Glenmore Lodge

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
27.79 km 1590 m 7.5 - 8.5 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

The Lochain bar in Glenmore Lodge is open to the public on some evenings of the week.

Hazards

In poor visibility good navigational skills are essential as it is easy to become disorientated on the featureless, open ground beyond the summit of Bynack More.

Between June and September, the Highland midge can really spoil your day if you are not well-protected. There are various products available but Smidge seems to be effective for most people.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : Not applicable

Limited, free parking is available at the start of the route.

Public Transport:

The number 31 bus operates between Aviemore and the Cairngorm ski area and stops at Glenmore, approximately fifteen minutes walk from the start and finish of the route.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

MetOffice Bynack More forecast, MWIS Cairngorms forecast

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Ian Tupman

Ian lives In Ardrossan and being only a fifty five minutes ferry crossing to Brodick, the Isle of Arran is his ‘back yard’. He knows the mountains of the north of the island well and has walked every permutation of routes over the various summits. He is now spending more time further north exploring the Cairngorms, the far north-west and the mountains of the west of Scotland.

More Posts by Ian Tupman

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