Walk on the wild side: A mini adventure on the underrated Creag Pitridh

Published on Tuesday 21 April 2009 15:14

DRIVING westwards on the A86, the Laggan road, Jimbo, Gentleman John (GJ) and I were eagerly anticipating going hillwalking.

Our departure had been delayed by a misunderstanding regarding the meeting point (my fault), so it was a case of selecting an afternoon's hill. Jimbo was happy to show GJ the delights of Beinn Teallach whereas I was keen to return to one of my favourite hills, the miniature gem that is Creag Pitridh. The others dropped me off and continued on their way.

Creag Pitridh possibly means Petrie's Crag. No one now seems to know who Petrie was. Perhaps he was a soldier, for Sgurr an t-Saighdeir lies to the south-west. An 819m col separates Creag Pitridh from Geal Charn to the east, meaning a climb from that direction of only 105m to the modest 924m/3031ft summit. Creag Pitridh thus feels more like a subsidiary Top of Geal Charn rather than a Munro, but this should not spoil a solo outing for it is a fine hill. And, when seen from the Laggan road, it has a most pleasing conical summit.

Stalkers' paths and a track alongside Lochan na h-Earba encircle Creag Pitridh, giving easy walking or cycling to the foot of the hill. Thereafter, an approach to the summit via the short north-east ridge, an area very seldom frequented by hillwalkers, gives not only a feeling of being well away from "civilisation" but also a fuller appreciation of this under-rated hill.

You will need Ordnance Survey map 42, Glen Garry & Loch Rannoch.

Park on the south side of the A86 at map ref 434831. Cross the concrete bridge over the River Spean for the broad – at first – track that climbs easily for the two miles to the south-west end of Lochan na h-Earba. It is possible to cycle in, with a gentle freewheeling return.

It was once necessary to carry a bike over a high stile, but that one obstacle has now been replaced by a side gate. The five-hour time assessment assumes cycling.

Creag Pitridh overlooks the Loch of Two Halves, Lochan na h-Earba, which is separated from Loch Laggan by the twin-top ridge of Binnein Shuas and Binnein Shios. The lower western crags of Creag Pitridh, overlooking the hidden charms of the lochan, are best avoided ... as is the 500ft face of Binnein Shuas across the water, unless, that is, you are a climber (the face was a relatively recent discovery, with the first ascents only made in 1967). The track on the south side of the lochan gives a quick and easy route towards the Allt a' Mhaigh, the Moy Burn. On approaching the mid-point of the lochan, cut over north-east to join a stalkers' path where it crosses the burn at map ref 489833.

Apart from a short crossing and re-crossing higher up, the path stays on the south side. (If in spate, do not cross the burn. Stay on rougher ground until the path is regained.) At around 600m leave the path for the north-east ridge. (If there on a poor day and the mist-enshrouded peak looks less than appetising, simply stay with the stalkers' path heading south through the gap between Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn, then descend west by the Allt Coire Pitridh.) Less heathery ground is soon reached as the ridge becomes more defined.

Once at a flatter area at 750m, take time to admire the rough conical summit cone. On the final climb any craggy difficulties are eased by a westerly then southerly approach.

The summit is a superb viewpoint. To the north can be seen Ardverikie, the location for the TV series, Monarch of the Glen, an appropriate title because Edwin Landseer often stayed there. The estate had been Queen Victoria's first choice when property hunting in the Highlands but she found the place too wild and the weather most dreadful.

Descend by the south-west ridge towards Sgurr an t-Saighdeir, then SSW to join another stalkers' path where it crosses the Allt Coire Pitridh.

Approaching the roadside, I could see that Jimbo and GJ had driven back to collect me. What kindly folks! They had been waiting only five minutes ... a considerably shorter time than the morning's delay.

Factfile

Map Ordnance Survey map 42, Glen Garry & Loch Rannoch

Distance 11 miles, of which 5 miles cyclable

Height 700m

Terrain Track then stalkers' path leading to craggy summit

Start point South side of A86, just south-west of Moy Lodge, map ref 434831

Time 5 to 7 hours

Nearest village Roybridge

Nearest refreshment spot Stronlossit Hotel, Roybridge