Ordhill
Grade - 1
time - 1.5-2hrs
155m accent
4km/2.5miles
A short but at times fairly steep out-and-back ascent through open woodland and heather moorland to the trig point on Cnoc Croit na Maoile. The summit offers spectacular views over the Black Isle, Cromarty and Beauly Firths to the east and the Affric mountains to the west.
Stage 1
Take one of the the minor roads leading towards Corry of Ardnagrask from the A862. Follow the sign for Upper Aultvaich, park where the road bends sharply to the left and a forestry track leads straight ahead. There is further parking near the gateway a couple of metres back down the road. Wherever you choose to park, take care not to block the gates. Follow the wooden sign for Ord Hill and go through the gate ahead into Corry Wood and follow the forestry track as it climbs gently and bends to the right. The track passes through forestry and mixed woodland of Scots pine, birch and hazel, climbing gently, and swinging left and then back right.
Stage 2
As the track climbs there are good views back of the Beauly Firth with the Kessock Bridge in the distance. After around 1km there is a signpost indicating where to leave the path and turn left up a steeper path through the trees; a very boggy path heads up from the signpost, whilst a drier route runs parallel to it just a metre or so beyond. After a short while the path emerges onto heather moorland and becomes less steep. When the edge of the wood on your right is reached turn sharp right following a wooden sign for Ord Hill.
Stage 3
This final section climbs directly to the trig point (to which someone has helpfully added a seat) at the top of Cnoc Croit na Maoile (Ord Hill). Ben Wyvis looms massively ahead
There are also fantastic views over the Cromarty and Beauly Firths with the Black Isle in between. Turning around to face west, there are good views into the mountains of the Glen Affric area. Follow the path as it continues past the trig point in an easterly direction and turns downhill to rejoin a slightly largfer path. Turn left onto this path - it soon reaches the point where you left it at a signpost indicate the climb to the summit. Keep straight on here to retrace your steps down the hill to the start. There are good views of the Beauly Firth much of the way.
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