Loch an Eilein and Creag Dubh: Top 5 Walking Routes in the Cairngorms

• From the car park at Loch an Eilein head south along the west shore of the loch. Here you pass the unusually large and well-preserved limekiln before you enter the pine woods. Grab your first glimpse of the castle on an island close to the shore. Your route follows the lochside, and crosses a hilly isthmus between it and Lochan Gamhna. From here after 2.6km, at NH893071 you take a path to the right.
• Contour along through open regenerating pine and birch woods to reach the Allt Coire Follais, which is usually easily forded. 2km from the path junction, stop for a breather at Dukes Bothy, a well-maintained shelter. Then turnsouth east (NE) towards the hill, and follow a path that climbs steeply to converge with the Allt Coire Follais. This you recross and follow up the right bank through mature pine wood.
• You emerge on to the open hill at around 600m altitude and continue south east (SE) to reach the Argyll Stone. This glacial tor dominates the skyline 2.8km after leaving the bothy. From here you turn north-north east (NNE) and head 300m to reach the high point of the walk, the flat summit of Creag Dhubh, at 848m altitude. Follow the broad ridge north (N) for 500m, then 1.25km north-east (NE) again before heading due north (N) to pick your way down over rough, rocky ground covered with rank heather. (There is a longer, easier route east (E) off the ridge to pick up the track from Glen Einich. But I prefer this descent of 1.5km north (N) through old pine and juniper that feels wild and remote.)
• Emerge on to open moor and pick up an overgrown hill road heading north-west (NW) until you reach the forest margin. Turn left on to the good hill road that skirts the woodland. Then, 600m after turning left, rejoin the unsurfaced road that takes you back along the east bank of the loch to the finish.
• 14km, 683m ascent.

I’ve attached a GPX file from the route map above. You can install this file on your GPS or smartphone to guide you when you’re out there!

What’s in the video?

Well sit back and enjoy two and a half minutes of winter beauty with drone footage from Loch an Eilein and stunning timelapses of the Cairngorms. This features snowfall in the Rothiemurchus Forest, Loch Morlich completely frozen over with ice, Loch Mallachie at sunset and mesmerising star trails. Enjoy.

Here’s a simple map of Loch an Eilein which shows the bast place to park, a circular walking route around the loch and other points of interest.

Disclaimer: All walks are undertaken at your own risk, as walking can be a dangerous activity if the appropriate precautions are not taken. Wilderness Scotland does not guarantee full-accuracy of the information given and does not accept responsibility or liability. It is your own responsibility to check the information with other resources, to know your own capability and to check weather conditions. Attention must be paid to your equipment, plan for the worst weather; carry a detailed map, compass, warm clothing, waterproofs, plenty of food and drink to last you the day and a head torch. Remember that a route description and a map are no use unless you can navigate with a map and compass. A GPS unit and the GPX route are a good back up but should be used as a guide rather than as a main navigational tool.

Loch an Eilein is a favourite with the office team as we’re based only a short walk away from this outstanding place, that’s why we love to hear about your on fun in our backyard.

Interested in some Wilderness Walking in the Cairngorms?  Have a look at some of the holidays we have on offer in the Cairngorms area.