Return by the route of ascent.
ROUTE 4
Derry Cairngorm (1155m), Ben Macdui (1309m), Carn a’ Mhaim (1037m)
Pronunciation: Derry Cairngorm; Ben Macdui; Karn er Vime
Translation: Wooded Blue Hill; (probably) Hill of the Sons of Dubh (or Duff); Cairn of the Pass
| Start | footpath from car park or, if cycling, along estate track from road |
| Distance | 32km (of which 11km can be cycled) |
| Total Ascent | 1340m |
| Grade | see the general introduction to the Cairngorms (above) |
| Time | 9hrs 20mins (1hr 20mins less if a bike is used to Derry Lodge) |
| Maps | OS sheet 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 at Linn of Dee |
| Accommodation | Hostel - YHA Braemar; independent Spittal of Glenshee; B&B/hotel - Braemar; Camping - Braemar |
Scotland’s second highest mountain, Ben Macdui, lies appropriately in the very heart of this remote and unforgiving range of hills. Reaching it from any direction involves a long but satisfying walk. Although there is no technical climbing or scrambling on this walk, there is much rough terrain to cover high on the mountains. This, plus the distance involved, makes it quite a tough outing.
From the Linn of Dee walk or cycle to Derry Lodge along the private track and cross the Derry Burn at the footbridge. The day can be shortened by cycling, or perhaps by camping in the meadows at Derry Lodge and using this as a base for the three or four long routes that start from here. Once you have crossed the Scots pine meadows and passed through a small enclosure via two stiles, the climbing starts in earnest up the Creag Bad an t-Seabhaig, the southeastern spur of Derry Cairngorm. The path is obvious at first, although higher up it sometimes gets lost amongst the stones. Continue gaining height steadily and pass over, or round, Point 1040, just before the final stony climb to the conical summit of Derry Cairngorm. There are actually two cairns on the summit a few metres apart, but the first of these appears to be the higher at 01749 97986 (2hrs 30mins from Derry Lodge).
Ben Macdui from Braeriach summit
Carn a’ Mhaim and the Lairig Ghru from Braeriach
Continue north-northwest over the jumble of stones capping Derry Cairngorm, then drop down to a grassy col below Creagan a’ Choire Etchachan. It is not necessary to climb the Creagan a’ Choire Etchachan, which in other company might be a Munro itself. Instead pass to its left (west) and then veer round to the southwest above the steep crags of Coire Sputan Dearg. A clearly defined path appears, which leads gently along the cliff tops until it turns west at 999 988 to reach the summit of Ben Macdui, just beyond the ruins of the old bothy. The summit is crowned by a large cairn and trig point at 98903 98930, as well as by various other impromptu stone structures (4hrs 5mins from Derry Lodge).
There is a pleasant descent to Glen Luibeg down the southeastern spur of the hill - the Sron Riach - but a third Munro of the day is beckoning within easy reach. From Ben Macdui’s stony summit go east-southeast for about 0.75km until the incipient Allt Clach nan Taillear is crossed at 99648 98643. The descent can then be made down the spur that runs to the southeast of this burn. The hillside here is a vast jumble of stones and boulders, and the way through these is not always obvious. Descend with care to the col at the northern end of Carn a’ Mhaim’s long, sharp ridge. Sharp ridges are an unusual feature in these parts and this one provides pleasant and easy walking along the narrow rocky edge until the summit is reached at 99464 95181, marked by a small cairn (5hrs 50mins from Derry Lodge).
A more workmanlike cairn sits atop Carn a’ Mhaim’s southeastern summit ½km further on at 99842 94947, but this is not as high as the main top and the path bypasses it. The descent from here to the valley goes straight down the southeast spur, dropping quite steeply to the prominent track that skirts around the base of the hill. Follow this to the Luibeg Burn. It may be possible to cross this burn where the track meets it at the ruins of the old bridge, but a short diversion upstream to the new Luibeg Bridge will probably be necessary, as this river can carry a lot of water. Once across, a major path, recently reconstructed, leads back to Derry Lodge.
ROUTE 5
The Devil’s Point (1004m), Cairn Toul (1291m), The Angels’ Peak (Sgor an Lochain Uaine) (1258m)
Pronunciation: Kayrn Tool; Sgor un Lochan You-annya
Translation: Devil’s Point is a euphemism for the original Gaelic, meaning ‘Devil’s penis’; Peak of the Barn; Pinnacle of the Green Lochan (better known as the Angels’ Peak)
| Start | footpath from back of car park or, if cycling, along estate track from road |
| Distance | 38km (of which 11km can be cycled) |
| Total Ascent | 1380m |
| Grade | see the general introduction to the Cairngorms (above) |
| Time | 10hrs 55mins (about 1hr 20mins less if cycling to Derry Lodge) |
| Maps | OS sheet 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 at Linn of Dee |
| Accommodation | Hostel - YHA Braemar; independent Spittal of Glenshee; B&B/hotel - Braemar; Camping - Braemar |
The massive plateau of the northern Cairngorms is split in two towards its western end by a single deep valley - the Lairig Ghru. To the east of this valley rise the shadowy giants of Creag an Leth-choin, Cairn Lochan, Ben Macdui and the long ridge of Carn a’ Mhaim. To its west a series of steep cliffs falls from the summits of another range of giants that include the Devil’s Point, Cairn Toul and Braeriach. Reaching these grand but remote hills is yet another long and demanding day if starting from Linn of Dee, albeit a thoroughly worthwhile one.
Time can be saved by cycling to or camping at Derry Lodge. Alternatively Corrour Bothy, at the foot of the Devil’s Point at the southern end of the Lairig Ghru, makes a convenient base for this and other hills.
From Derry Lodge cross the bridge over the Derry Burn and follow the path along Glen Luibeg to the Luibeg Burn. Cross this at the new bridge and return to the path that skirts around the southern flanks of Carn a’ Mhaim to reach the southern end of the Lairig Ghru. Once you are in the Lairig Ghru you soon leave the main path and cross a short wet section of peat bogs to reach a metal bridge over the River Dee and, just beyond it, Corrour Bothy. From the bothy climb steeply up to the col below the Devil’s Point. The footpath here was reconstructed in 2002 right up to the col. From the col it is an easy walk to the summit, bearing south-east along a boulder-strewn path to reach the summit cairn at 97612 95123 (3hrs 30mins from Derry Lodge).
The Devil’s Point from Carn a’ Mhaim
Lochain Uaine from the flanks of Cairn Toul
After admiring the breath-taking views of Beinn Bhrotain and Glen Dee, return to the col and then climb steadily up to Cairn Toul’s southern top. The obvious