Scotland
Carn Coire na Creiche
826M
2709FT
About Carn Coire na Creiche
Overlooking the upper reaches of the River Calder, this rounded Monadhliath summit offers a quieter alternative to its neighbour, A’ Chailleach. The terrain is typical of the range—heathery, trackless, and often boggy—but rewarded by clear views across the Spey Valley towards the high, granite plateaus of the Cairngorms.
Key Statistics
Rank
66th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
42m
Nearest Town
Highland
Geology
You are walking across the Loch Laggan Psammite Formation. This foundation is made of a hard, sandstone-like rock containing tiny, shiny flakes of mica.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NH622086
Latitude
57.1475°N
Longitude
4.2792°W
Did You Know?
- •The name translates from Scottish Gaelic as the 'Cairn of the Corrie of the Plunder', a likely reference to the hidden corrie on its eastern flank being used as a staging post or hiding place during cattle raids.
- •Though it stands at a substantial 825 metres, it is often overlooked by walkers focused on the nearby Munros, making it a reliable spot for solitude away from the popular 'bagging' routes above Newtonmore.
- •The summit provides an excellent vantage point to look directly across the Strathspey to the Great Cleft of the Lairig Ghru, framed between the massive bulks of Braeriach and Cairn Gorm.
- •A traverse to this peak is frequently combined with an ascent of A' Chailleach, connected by a high, undulating col that requires careful navigation in the mist due to the lack of distinct ground features.
- •Its status as a Tump ensures it remains a niche interest; you are significantly more likely to encounter a mountain hare in its summer coat than a fellow hiker on the trek to the cairn.