First Image
Second Image More images
More (2)
Home> Walks> Scotland> Highland> Meall a' Bhuachaille

Meall a' Bhuachaille

Recommended by
Our view
"Looking at the Cairngorms from a smallish mountain above the fairy lochan."
Walk directions

From Glenmore Visitor Centre, a tarmac track runs just above the road towards the ski slopes. Keep ahead, just below the Reindeer Centre, on a tarmac lane signed for Glenmore Lodge (Mountain Centre). Soon you can move onto a bike track alongside the lane. The bike/walk path rejoins the gravel track just beyond Glenmore Lodge.

Follow the track ahead, though the steep-sided gap of Pass of Ryvoan, and past Lochan Uaine to open heathery moorland. The track forks; turn left, signed ‘Nethy Bridge’. Soon you arrive at Ryvoan Bothy.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Well-made paths, long ascent to 2,657ft (810m) altitude
  Landscape  - Forest, high hilltop with views to Cairn Gorm
  Dog friendliness  - Off lead but under close control
  Parking  - Glenmore village
  Toilets en route  - Glenmore village
Walks in Highland Dog-friendly walks in Highland
About the walk
Meall a' Bhuachaille is the Hill of the Herdsman. Its rock is not the rounded grey granite of the true Cairngorms but a streaky, slabby schist that breaks down to a more fertile soil. So Meall a' Bhuachille, with its grand outlook to the bare Cairngorms across Glen More, has better grazing for the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Apart from the Orkneys and the Shetlands, Highland is Scotland’s northernmost county. Probably its most famous feature is the mysterious and evocative Loch Ness, allegedly home to an ancient monster that has embedded itself in the world’s modern mythology, and the region’s tourist industry.
Explore Highland
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Nethybridge Hotel
★★★
awardaward
"Scottish countryside hotel with friendly staff...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Inn
Cairn
★★★
awardaward
"Friendly and locally popular inn, set in quiet Scottish village location...."
  • Rooms 7
Hotel
Grant Arms Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Characterful hotel in a good location for birdwatching...."
  • Family rooms: 7
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
Cairn
The Cairn is conveniently located in Carrbridge, in the Cairngorms National Park, as well as being close to Landmark Forest Adventure Park, which is within walking distance. This proper...
★★★    Rating
Grant Arms Hotel
Conveniently located in the centre of Grantown-on-Spey, the Grant Arms Hotel offers spacious public areas and has retained traditional character. The restaurant is a popular venue for d...
★★★★    Rating
The Auld Kirk
This Victorian Scottish Free Church building has been carefully converted into a warm guest house and is now hosted by welcoming proprietors Helen & Kevin. Many original features of the...
★★★★    Rating
Balmoral Arms
Formerly Deeside Inn, Balmoral Arms continues the tradition of attracting visitors to Royal Deeside, which has existed since Victorian times. Located in the Royal Deeside village of Bal...
★★★★★    Rating
Ballater Caravan Park
Ballater Caravan Park is located in the heart of this delightful conservation village. Positioned in between the River Dee and the golf club this is a really well thought out and presen...
★★★★    Rating
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Blair Castle Caravan Park is an attractive site set in impressive seclusion within the Atholl Estate, surrounded by mature woodland and the River Tilt. Although a large park, the variou...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Manse of Blair
The Old Manse of Blair enjoys a enviable location in the heart of the Perthshire countryside with superb transport links; arrive by train and transfers can be arranged. This historical ...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Cairn
The Ghillies Bar
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Contrast Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Cairn
The Ghillies Bar
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Contrast Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Rocpool
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
4hrs
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
5.25 miles (8.4kms)

Ascent:
1700ft (518m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Highland
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Highland

Meall a' Bhuachaille

Recommended by
Our view
"Looking at the Cairngorms from a smallish mountain above the fairy lochan."
Walk details
4hrs
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
5.25 miles (8.4kms)
Ascent:
1700ft (518m)
Walk directions

From Glenmore Visitor Centre, a tarmac track runs just above the road towards the ski slopes. Keep ahead, just below the Reindeer Centre, on a tarmac lane signed for Glenmore Lodge (Mountain Centre). Soon you can move onto a bike track alongside the lane. The bike/walk path rejoins the gravel track just beyond Glenmore Lodge.
1 of 6

Follow the track ahead, though the steep-sided gap of Pass of Ryvoan, and past Lochan Uaine to open heathery moorland. The track forks; turn left, signed ‘Nethy Bridge’. Soon you arrive at Ryvoan Bothy.
2 of 6

Here a path turns off to the left, to climb Meall a’ Bhuachaille. It has been newly rebuilt, and is smooth with some stepped sections. At the foot of the steeper slope it slants up left, giving views down to Lochan Uaine. After some zig-zags it bends up right, to the top of the steep slope above the bothy. In Strath Nethy below, pines from the north and the south are about to rejoin. Soon squirrels will hop, branch to branch, from Grantown to Glen Feshie. The path bends left, and heads up the rounded, heathery crest with Meall a' Bhuachaille summit about 550yds (503m) beyond. Here you will find a large cairn, with a circular shelter of low stones. Note that you arrive from the direction of the opening in this shelter.
3 of 6

To leave the summit, pass to the right of the big cairn and head down for 35yds (30m) to where the built path restarts. (The first sign of it is a stone drainage runnel.) It bends left, to run straight down the rounded spur towards a col below. Above this col, the slope eases a little and the path divides.
4 of 6

Ignore the path ahead, which becomes peaty as it heads for the col just below. Instead take the main path down to the left as it slants around Coire Chondlaich. Soon the well-built path heads directly downhill, to join a stream. A red-top waymarker is at the top of clear-felled plantations.
5 of 6

The path runs down to the left of the stream, with a strip of standing pine left to shelter it. It widens to a rough track among the pines. At a fork and signboard, a smaller path on the right has a red waymarker, and soon runs down to Glenmore Visitor Centre.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Well-made paths, long ascent to 2,657ft (810m) altitude
  Landscape - Forest, high hilltop with views to Cairn Gorm
  Dog friendliness - Off lead but under close control
  Parking - Glenmore village
  Toilets en route - Glenmore village
Walks in Highland Dog-friendly walks in Highland
About the walk
Meall a' Bhuachaille is the Hill of the Herdsman. Its rock is not the rounded grey granite of the true Cairngorms but a streaky, slabby schist that breaks down to a more fertile soil. So Meall a' Bhuachille, with its grand outlook to the bare Cairngorms across Glen More, has better grazing for the...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Highland
Apart from the Orkneys and the Shetlands, Highland is Scotland’s northernmost county. Probably its most famous feature is the mysterious and evocative Loch Ness, allegedly home to an ancient monster that has embedded itself in the world’s modern mythology, and the region’s tourist industry.
Explore Highland

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
Nethybridge Hotel
★★★
awardaward
"Scottish countryside hotel with friendly staff...."
  • Family rooms: 5
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Inn
Cairn
★★★
awardaward
"Friendly and locally popular inn, set in quiet Scottish village location...."
  • Rooms 7
Hotel
Grant Arms Hotel
★★★★
awardawardaward
"Characterful hotel in a good location for birdwatching...."
  • Family rooms: 7
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
  • Lift available
Nearby places to stay
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
Cairn
The Cairn is conveniently located in Carrbridge, in the Cairngorms National Park, as well as being close to Landmark Forest Adventure Park, which is within walking distance. This proper...
★★★    Rating
Grant Arms Hotel
Conveniently located in the centre of Grantown-on-Spey, the Grant Arms Hotel offers spacious public areas and has retained traditional character. The restaurant is a popular venue for d...
★★★★    Rating
The Auld Kirk
This Victorian Scottish Free Church building has been carefully converted into a warm guest house and is now hosted by welcoming proprietors Helen & Kevin. Many original features of the...
★★★★    Rating
Balmoral Arms
Formerly Deeside Inn, Balmoral Arms continues the tradition of attracting visitors to Royal Deeside, which has existed since Victorian times. Located in the Royal Deeside village of Bal...
★★★★★    Rating
Ballater Caravan Park
Ballater Caravan Park is located in the heart of this delightful conservation village. Positioned in between the River Dee and the golf club this is a really well thought out and presen...
★★★★    Rating
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Blair Castle Caravan Park is an attractive site set in impressive seclusion within the Atholl Estate, surrounded by mature woodland and the River Tilt. Although a large park, the variou...
★★★★★    Rating
The Old Manse of Blair
The Old Manse of Blair enjoys a enviable location in the heart of the Perthshire countryside with superb transport links; arrive by train and transfers can be arranged. This historical ...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Cairn
The Ghillies Bar
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Contrast Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Cairn
The Ghillies Bar
The Old Manse of Blair
   AA Rosette Award
Contrast Brasserie
   AA Rosette Award
Rocpool
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby