Map: OS Landranger 26 (GR304553)
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Time: 4.5 hours
Terrain: track and pathless hillside
Carn na Coinnich is the highest point of a complex area of high ground made up of a number of tops of similar height running along the south side of Strathconon. The ascent is best achieved by starting from a small car park at Milton Mill on the north side of the road about 500 metres beyond the primary school, reached after a pleasant drive alongside the rivers Conon and Meig which run through this lovely glen.
Walk west along the road for 100 metres then take to the track which crosses the bridge over the River Meig to reach Dalbreac Lodge. After passing through the estate buildings, swing left and 100 metres further on take the uphill track which leads to a fork at a burn. The easiest and quickest way of climbing the hill is to follow the left-hand track to within a short distance of the summit then return the same way, but this does the hill little justice and a more satisfying climb can be had by following the right branch of the track to climb the pathless hillside to the west. The track soon ends at a forestry plantation, where heathery slopes to the right of the burn lead south to a flat area which you cross to climb steeply up on to the ridgeline on the right. This ridge provides a pleasant and scenic route leading to the top of Meall Doire Fheara (671m/2201ft).
The complex nature of this expansive multi-topped hill is now revealed, although the slightly higher summit knoll of Carn na Coinnich (673m/2208ft) itself only lies a mile or so to the south-east. This is easily reached by traversing above the small Loch an Daimh Ghlais then descending to the north end of Loch Gruamach and climbing through an area of peat hags on to a mossy shoulder which leads to the summit knoll, atop which is a trig point.
To return, descend the mossy shoulder gently northwards for 500 metres or so, then drop down right and climb up on to a track which is followed steeply down into Strathconon.
Further down, where the track forks on flat ground, go left to regain Dalbreac Lodge then the road.
