This walk lies at the eastern end of the Cairngorm massif. Like many of the Cairngorm routes it is both long and arduous, taking you into harsh, uncompromising landscape. The use of a bike on the estate track at the start and end of the walk can save valuable time and is strongly recommended.
From Keiloch, walk or cycle along the track past Invercauld House and Alltdourie into Gleann an t-Slugain. The track is signposted to Glen Quoich until ½km past Alltdourie, where the track divides; the left branch leads to Glen Quoich, and the right branch to the Slugain. The going gets progressively rougher the further you go, until a flat green apron is reached nestling in a little valley (beyond which the Landrover cannot go). Leave your bike here and continue on foot on a good footpath; this leads past the ruins of Slugain Lodge to the high upper valley of the Quoich Water.
The main path, which leads up the Glas Allt Mor to the Sneck (the col at the top), is left at 11607 95833 for a path which crosses the Quoich Water, then winds through the heather and climbs around the steep little nose of Carn Fiaclach. It stays on the western side of this ridge and climbs steadily along it before reaching its crest higher up, then veers left again near the top to avoid the stones on the upper slopes. It is further than it looks - or perhaps it just feels further than it is. Eventually you pass between the south top and the prominent granite tor of Point 1179, and soon the high ground of the ridge is reached as you traverse around the impressive crags above the Dubh Lochan, a climber’s playground. These dramatic scenes on your right are matched by a sensational view to your left over the entire range of the Cairngorm hills. The North Top of Beinn a’ Bhuird is marked by a cairn at 09230 00611 (5hrs 15mins; about 1hr 10mins less if a bike is used on the estate track).
Continue east-northeast past (or over) a craggy minor top, then descend steeply down a badly eroded sandy path to the col known as the Sneck (at 11852 01000). In poor visibility you should stay well to the left (north) of this path, as there are many false ‘runs’ that lead down to the Glas Allt Mor (an escape route leads down this valley, via a good path, in a fairly direct line to the Allt an t-Slugain). From the col it is a straightforward climb onto Ben Avon. The summit is a substantial granite tor set back about 1½km to the northeast (Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe). Scramble up to the top of the tor at 13194 01835 (6hrs 30mins; less if a bike is used).
Looking across the Sneck to Ben Avon
You could return via the path running back down the Glas Allt Mor from the Sneck, but a pleasanter way to complete the route is to head south, passing over the next hill - Carn Eas - at point 1089, then descend quite steeply at first down the southern slopes of that hill. There is a high corrie here, which should be avoided as its back wall is very steep, but on either side of it are ridges where the angle is much easier. Descend over heather to join the main path just beyond a little tributary burn and follow this back past Slugain Lodge to the track.
ROUTE 2
Beinn Bhreac (931m), Beinn a’ Chaorainn (1082m)
Pronunciation: Bine Vrack; Bine uh Chooereen
Translation: Speckled Mountain; Mountain of the Rowan
| Start | footpath from back of car park (if walking), or private track from the road (if cycling) |
| Distance | 32km (of which at least 12km can be cycled) |
| Total Ascent | 840m |
| Grade | see the general introduction to the Cairngorms (above) |
| Time | 8hrs 35mins (about 1hr 20mins less if a bike is used to Derry Lodge) |
| Maps | OS sheets 36 and 43; Explorer map 403; Area Map 6 |
| Access | National Trust for Scotland, Mar Lodge Estate, tel: 013397 41669 |
| Parking | car park at Linn of Dee |
| Accommodation | Hostel - YHA Braemar; independent Spittal of Glenshee; B&B/hotel - Braemar; Camping - Braemar; wild camping at Derry Lodge |
This long walk takes you across the vast plateau at the heart of the Cairngorm and returns along Glen Derry through a beautiful area of ancient Caledonian pine forest.
Walk or cycle to Derry Lodge and continue into Glen Derry, staying on the right-hand (east) side of the Derry Burn. Follow the track to a high point in the trees at 04542 94990. It is possible to cycle to this point at present, although this may not always be the case as the National Trust’s intention is to turn the track back to moorland with just a footpath in its place. A faint path starts here up the hillside through trees and heather, and if you can find this path it makes the going a lot easier. Climb across the moorland to a narrow col between Meall an Lundain and Beinn Bhreac, then follow the line of the ridge up to the rounded, stony eastern top of Beinn Bhreac, which is its highest point at 05868 97067 (3hrs 30mins; about 40mins less if a bike is used on the track).
Beinn Bhreac from the Derry Burn
Beinn a’ Chaorainn looks to be only a few hundred metres from here, but it is actually nearer to 5km. The going is firm and easy to start with as you bypass or cross Beinn Bhreac’s western top, then head on to Craig Derry. But soon the ground becomes wet and peaty, although there are enough stones in the peat to make progress fairly easy. The best line follows the high ground, zigzagging from Craig Derry to Moine Bhealaidh, then making for the stony southeast ridge of Beinn a’ Chaorainn. Climb this more easily to the summit cairn at 04515 01351 (5hrs; about 40mins less if a bike is used).
Descend southwest over granite boulders to the steep enclosing slope that drops down to the Lairig an Laoigh. If you try to descend too soon, this slope is rocky, scree covered and uncomfortably steep. The easiest line drops down due west from 03750 00500. Once here, all difficulties are over and the prominent path can be followed back along Glen Derry. If you used a bike beyond Derry Lodge, turn uphill to the left at a metal bridge and follow the path and track back to the foot of Meall an Lundain, where you started the ascent. If you walked from Derry Lodge, the pleasantest way back is to cross the metal bridge and follow the path back along the west bank of the river.
ROUTE 3
Beinn Mheadhoin (1182m)
Pronunciation: Bine Veeyann
Translation: Middle Mountain
| Start | along footpath from back of car park (if walking) or along estate road (if cycling) |
| Distance | 32km (of which 15km can be cycled) |
| Total Ascent | 800m |
| Grade | see the general introduction to the Cairngorms (above) |
| Time | 8hrs 35mins (about 1hr 50mins less if using a bike) |
| Maps | OS sheets 36 and 43; Explorer map 403; Harvey’s Superwalker map Cairn Gorm; Area Map 6 |
| Access | National Trust for Scotland, Mar Lodge Estate, tel: 013397 41669 |
| Parking | car park near Linn of Dee |
| Accommodation | Hostel - YHA Braemar; independent Spittal of Glenshee; B&B/hotel - Braemar; Camping - Braemar |
Beinn Mheaddhoin is a hidden hill that nestles right in the middle of the Cairngorms, as its name suggests. It is often climbed from the north, but this approach involves rather more descent and reascent than the route described here. The approach from the south via Glen Derry may be slightly longer but it is also easier.
From Linn of Dee walk or cycle to Derry Lodge and continue into Glen Derry. The estate track to the east of the river can be cycled for a further couple of kilometres at the time of writing, although this is one of the tracks that the National Trust is planning to restore to moorland. The footpath on the west side of the river offers a pleasanter approach through the trees. The two tracks join just beyond a footbridge, and a well-trodden path then follows the river, dividing higher upstream where the right-hand branch heads into the Lairig an Laoigh. The left-hand branch veers round past the Coire Etchachan bothy and climbs up to the black waters of Loch Etchachan.
Just beyond the outflow of this loch, climb a steep gravel path onto Beinn Mheadhoin’s main ridge. The