Creag na Criche
Creag na Criche, Perthshire. Section 1A.
Height – 457 metres. Map – OS Landranger 52.
Climbed - 19 September 2011. Time taken – 1.5 hours.
Distance – 4 kilometres. Ascent – 245 metres.
Trip Report Details:
My second hill of the day was Creag na Criche, above Little Glen Shee. I had hoped to access its starting point from the B8063 in Glen Almond but the road was closed for repairs. I followed the diversionary signs until near Tullybelton House where the signs indicated that the road was closed 5.5 miles ahead. I drove along this single track road, crossed the Shochie Burn via a ford, and parked in the small car park on the south side of the stream. Fortunately the road was only closed from this point to the junction with the B8063.
I re-crossed the burn by a wooden footbridge followed by the section of road I had just driven along before passing through a new deer gate, which had an adjacent stile. A vehicle track headed north then east and I followed it until a junction of tracks where I took the left fork. This track climbed north-west to reach a new deer fence and at this point the track changed direction and headed north-east.
Unfortunately Creag na Criche was on the opposite side of this fence and there was no sign of a crossing point. I therefore had no option but clamber over the fence before climbing through long heather onto the summit area. I crossed a few knolls before reaching the summit cairn where I took a coffee break with views of surrounding heather clad hills and in the distance a large windfarm which was still under construction.
Rather than re-crossing the deer fence I headed along Creag na Criche’s undulating south-west ridge before changing direction and descending steeply towards the car park. Low down, and after crossing some marshy ground, I located another gate in the deer fence which I used to enter the enclosure. I then followed my original route the short distance back to the car.
Photos taken on walk.