Creag An Dubh-Loch (Cliff of Dark Loch) Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 2,300 ft |
GPS: |
56.92997, -3.26101 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
Page Views: | 3,940 total · 33/month |
Shared By: | Andy Weinmann on Jun 3, 2014 |
Admins: | Chris Owen, Euan Cameron |
Description
Fantastic climbing in the Southern Cairngorms. The best expanse of granite anywhere in Britain at over 1km long and about 300m high. These are mostly high-quality routes of good length and make for a great day out. Start early and be prepared for anything and everything. Has a very alpine feel to it.
The main climbing areas are the Central Slabs and the Central Gully Wall, although there are excellent climbs on the Broad Terrace Wall. Eagles Rock is also part of this area and faces the Dubh Loch looking south.
The cliff faces northeast, so it gets sun for about half the day in the summer. Eagles Rock gets nice afternoon sunshine.
It's generally a secluded area and you can camp at the head of the Loch. Alternatively, you can sleep up in the howff (basically a shelter under some boulders) below the Central Slabs or back at the bothy (backpackers cabin) on the backside of the Royal Shooting Lodge (Glas-allt-Shiel) about a 1 hour hike from the base.
The main climbing areas are the Central Slabs and the Central Gully Wall, although there are excellent climbs on the Broad Terrace Wall. Eagles Rock is also part of this area and faces the Dubh Loch looking south.
The cliff faces northeast, so it gets sun for about half the day in the summer. Eagles Rock gets nice afternoon sunshine.
It's generally a secluded area and you can camp at the head of the Loch. Alternatively, you can sleep up in the howff (basically a shelter under some boulders) below the Central Slabs or back at the bothy (backpackers cabin) on the backside of the Royal Shooting Lodge (Glas-allt-Shiel) about a 1 hour hike from the base.
Getting There
From Ballater, head east out of town crossing the bridge over the River Dee, then turn right and follow the B976 south for a little over 1/2 a mile. Turn left at the Bridge of Muick and head up the small single-track road (signs for Loch/Glen Muick) for quite a few miles until you come to a parking lot with a pay-and-display.
Hike through past the visitor center and turn right onto the the path that heads to the north side of Loch Muick. You'll cross a bridge over the outflow of the Loch. Turn left onto the dirt road along the Loch and hike on for about 1.5 hours (2.5 miles or so) to the Shooting Lodge. Continue on the path which turns into a footpath for a further hour (2 miles) to the base.
Hike through past the visitor center and turn right onto the the path that heads to the north side of Loch Muick. You'll cross a bridge over the outflow of the Loch. Turn left onto the dirt road along the Loch and hike on for about 1.5 hours (2.5 miles or so) to the Shooting Lodge. Continue on the path which turns into a footpath for a further hour (2 miles) to the base.
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