Creag Leacach

Glas Maol is a bare rounded mountain at the south-west corner of the Mounth plateau above the A93 road where it crosses the pass from Glen Shee to Glen Clunie. Its western slopes and north-east corrie, the Coire Fionn, are scarred by the ski tows and snow fences of the Glen Shee ski centre, but the eastern side of the mountain is very different, dropping in high cliffs into the Caenlochan Glen where the River Isla has its source. The contrast between the two opposite sides of Glas Maol is very striking. To its south a long ridge runs out for several kilometres on the east side of Gleann Beag, and 2 kilometres along this ridge is the summit of Creag Leacach. This is unusual among the hills of the Mounth in having quite a narrow summit ridge which drops steeply on both sides in long slopes of scree and boulders.

The traverse of these two mountains can be started from the A93 about 2 kilometres south of the summit of the road. Follow a path east for about ½ kilometre and then go north up a grassy ridge to reach a collection of huts and ski tows on the north-west ridge of Meall Odhar. Go up this ridge and across a slight dip to the final steep slope leading to the flat summit of Glas Maol. Descend south-west to the start of the narrow and in places rocky ridge which leads to Creag Leacach. From the summit of Creag Leacach continue along the ridge to the South-west Top, then descend steeply north-west down stony slopes to the col below Meall Gorm. Turn north down a grassy corrie and regain the path of the uphill route.

(Copyright The Scottish Mountaineering Club)