Access News and Issues

This has been washed out by the Allt Robuic burn at NS 105 967. The path is closed as the ravine is not easily crossable. The official Cowal Way diversion, adding around 8km, is around the head of Glen Shellish. Landslides affecting the tracks to the north of the burn make these difficult to pass safely, despite ongoing repair work, so are not currently an alternative.

Although there are plans to repair the Cowal Way path, the severity of the damage means this may still be a problem for TGOC25. One of our vetters has visited the area (October 2024) and the vetting team will pass on his advice, and any up to date news from the local ranger, to anyone including the Cowal Way in their route.

The path was washed out at the Allt Garbhlach (NN 849 954) in Storm Desmond several years ago and a path upstream to an alternative crossing (NN 851 954) has formed. In normal conditions this is an easy paddle but in spate it requires care to cross and possibly a diversion further upstream. Various attempts to create a bridge here have been washed away in the intervening years.

A further landslip occurred at NN 850 913 in October 2023 on the site of an old landslip. Initially it was difficult to pass but stabilised withing a few weeks and a report from Chris Townsend in March 2024 shows no further damage had happened over the winter and no problems were reported getting past it during TGOC24.

A longstanding landslip at NN 787 820 on the path above the Allt Gharbh Ghaig remains difficult to pass. Attempts to repair it have generally headed down to the river and we advise you do not try to cross it.

The best option is to head up the steep grass gully (on the left in the photo) and once on level ground traverse above it to rejoin path.

The lower section of Jock’s Road remains impassable due to wind-blown trees caused by Storm Arwen in 2021, and will remain so long term. The track on the south side of the White Water, known as the Donault Road, is the only viable alternative. The bridge across the White Water NO 247 767 was in good condition in Spring 2024.

The lower section of the Capel Mounth Road is also blocked requiring a diversion along the forest edge to pick up the track from Moulzie.

Both problems are long term with no plans to clear the badly affected areas.

Several bridges over side streams on the Mam Barrisdale path were reported to be in a poor state of repair in 2024 though they should be fordable in all but the most extreme conditions.

The old bridge at Carnoch NM 865 964 has been replaced with a new sturdy one that we hope will resist winter storms for many years.

The bridge over the Allt a’Ghille Chruim at NM 879 945 was reported to be in a poor state of repair in 2022

The bridge over the River Callop near the Glenfinnan Monument at NM 909 804 is deemed unsafe and is closed. Repairs are reputedly planned but none have happened since its closure in 2021.

The bridge still shown on many maps at NN 185 402 has been replaced by a new bridge around 800m downstream.

The bridge across the Abhainn Shira at NN 233 417 is present but the bridge across the Allt Ghabhar is no longer there. In spate this will require a diversion north to a footbridge at NN 237 425 near Clashgour.

The bridge at Inchvuilt NH 230 387 became dangerous and was removed by the estate in 2013 with no plans to replace it. The ford upstream is dangerous in all but the most benign conditions necessitating a road walk via the two Monar dams.

The bridge at NH 262 383 was renovated in 2022 and is now in good condition.

The bridge shown at NH 336 056 is still shown on Ordnance Survey maps despite being absent for several decades!. There is, however, an unmarked bridge upstream at Achadh-nan-darach NH313056.

The bridge at NN 648 984 was washed away several years ago but remains on some reputedly up-to-date maps. Other bridges are shown across the Calder on older maps but there are none, other than the A86 road bridge. The crossing of the Calder can be impossible in spate. The best FWA from Laggan to Newtonmore is via the minor road in Glen Truim.

The bridge at Dalnahaitnach (NH 855 201) has long gone but is on older maps. There is now a new track along the north side which leads to the bridge at NH 865 212.

The bridge at NH 789 135 has been swept away. If you can ford the River Dulnain the bridge at NH 790 134 across the Feithlinn appears to be intact. The bridge at NH 765 121 is, we believe no longer there – any recent information appreciated – please email the Coordinators.

The Tromie is a difficult river to cross even in moderate water conditions. The bridges at NN 753 923, NN 753 913 (unmapped), NN 755 911 and NN 764 890 have all gone.

The walkway at the dam at NN 763 881 is still available and the only feasible crossing downstream from Tromie Lodge if in spate. If approaching directly from Newtonmore or Loch Cuaich the dam crossing will need to be used as your main route or added as an FWA

The only bridge across the River Feshie upstream of the road bridge at Feshiebridge is near Stronetoper at NN 851 965.

All other bridges, shown on older Ornance Survey or Open Source maps do not exist. Please note that the ‘Snap to Path’ functions on some digital mapping will suggest crossing the River Feshie at Carnachuin. This bridge was washed away many years ago and it is not an ideal place to ford unless the water is exceptionally low.

The best place to ford the River Feshie is around NN 846 918 where it is wide and braided. In normal conditions this is a relatively simple paddle but in spate it is impossible to cross safely so you will need a FWA via the bridge at Stronetoper.

Many bridges were damaged or washed away by Storm Frank in December 2015 and repairs have taken many years. The following have been replaced or repaired or escaped significant damage:

• Luibeg Burn at NO013942
• Derry Burn bridge near Derry Lodge at NO 040934
• Victoria Bridge near Mar Lodge NO 102 895.
• River Quoich road bridge at NO 117 910
• Punch Bowl bridge at NO 114 913
• Pollhollick bridge NO343965
• Cambus O’May bridge at NO420976

The only bridge we know of in the area that remains closed is over the Derry Burn at NO 039 958

Allt Darrarie Bridge at NO 318 838 has been repaired / replaced several times in recent years. It was in good order in May 2024.

The bridge at Mill of Sterin NO 350 230 was demolished in 2024 and will not be replaced.

Bridges at Moulzie NO 281 773 and Bachnagairn NO 254 796 were washed away some years ago and as far as we are aware have not been replaced. Any recent information gratefully received. Please contact the Coordinators if you have been this way in the last two years.

The following bridges are absent or unuseable:

• Woodhaugh, NO491790, is deemed unsafe and has been blocked by the estate
• Turnabrain, NO501789, is no longer there.
• Dalhastnie suspension bridge, NO 578 771, is usually locked.
• Shakin’ Brig, Edzell. Though still standing itwas badly damaged in 2023 and deemed unsafe. In August 2024 it was barriered and there were no signs of plans to repair it in the near future. Please do not attempt to use it.

The only serviceable bridges across the River North Esk are at:

• Gleneffock, NO 457 789
• Dalbrack, NO 469 782
• Fernybank, NO 534 782
• Rocks of Solitude, NO 580 740. Relatively new (not on all maps) allows access to Blue Door Walk
• Gannochy, road bridge NO 601 709
• North Water Bridge, NO 653 661

The bridge marked at NO 655 867 at Heatheryhaugh is in fact a wire cable and basket which is normally locked and therefore unusable. The River Dye is rarely easy to ford so the only option is the road bridge at NO 651 860.

There are bye laws restricting wild camping by many of the lochs in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.  Places have to be pre-booked (for details click here) and fines may be imposed if you do not have a permit.  However it is relatively easy to avoid them and camp elsewhere.

The estate requests camping be confined to the area around Ruigh–aiteachain Bothy (NN 847928), or further upstream.

Balmoral Estate request no camping because of the specific characteristics and sensitivities of the area around Spittal of Glenmuick and Loch Muick.

The nearest bothies are at Gelder Shiel, Glas-Allt Shiel (north side of Loch Muick) and Shielin of Mark and it is acceptable to camp outside the bothies.

Dalhousie Estates advise the the shores of Loch Lee are often used for night fishing and request wild campers avoid the area. If you want a restful night we advise camping before Loch Lee or pushing on to Tarfside

The estate requests Challengers do not walk past Glenmazeran Lodge and are well within their rights to do so with regard to the Access Code. Please take the right fork at NH 744 227, cross the river and drop to the minor road at NH 748 224.

Network Rail lines. It is against the law to trespass on any current railway line even in remote places. The places where we frequently have to decline sections of route because of potential trespass are:

• Accessing Essan bothy south of Loch Eilt including the rail bridge at NM 788 827
• Rail bridge over the River Spean near Tulloch Station at NN 359 801
• Accessing Corrour Station from Loch Trieg, in an attempt to avoid the boggy path
• Dalwhinnie level crossing, NN 633 846 has been closed by network Rail indefinitely due to safety concerns. There is no access via the station bridge. To get to the village use the underpass at NN 635 841

If any of the above or any other section of live railway line appear on a route it will be rejected.

Disused railway lines. These fall within the access code and you can try and follow them. However unless they have been converted into footpaths or cycle tracks you may find it not worth the effort with dense undergrown, fences and barbed wire to contend with.

In particular attempts to follow the old line in Angus to the east or west of Forfar have usually ended with Challengers resorting to minor roads instead.

Parts of the old “Puggy Line” tramway through the Leanachan Forest to Fersit are useable but most of the bridges are missing necessitating some scrambling and issues if the burns are in spate.

Access during the building of wind farms and hydroelectric schemes is not often restricted but heavy plant vehicles are likely to be operating in the area. For your own safety ensure you are visible and comply with any reasonable diversions or requests from construction workers you may encounter.

In recent years several small scale hydro-electric projects were reported (including Glen Etive, near Bendronaig Lodge and Allt Garbh nr Loch Affric, Glen Buck and Glen Prosen). It is likely that more will appear which we often do not know about until a Challenger comes across them in May. There are no access restrictions that we know of though new tracks and the obliteration of some old tracks may affect navigation.

If your route goes through commercial forestry there is always the chance forestry operations may force you to adjust your route. Please obey any signed diversions and follow any instructions given by forestry workers.

Winter storms many cause tracks to be blocked by windblown trees. Forestry and Land Scotland have asked us to pass on the message that these should be treated with extreme caution due to the risk of “spring back” if you try to climb over or under them. If at all possible seek another route.