Location:
Cairngorms
Map: OS Landranger 36 ( GR 990 060 )
Distance: 10 miles / 16km
Time: 5.5 hours
Terrain: mountain paths When the days are longer there's ample time
for this splendid high-level walk across the Cairngorm plateau to the
summit of Britain's second-highest mountain. Although the walk is
fairly straightforward, the
terrain becomes featureless in cloud and mist, meaning you can easily
get lost unless prepared. So, although a map, a compass and
navigational
skills are essential, you're best to embark on this walk on a fine day,
when you can fully appreciate the grandeur of the surroundings.
Starting at Cairn Gorm Mountain Ski Centre, leave the car park in the
far south-west corner and pick up a path that contours around the
hillside. Take the low path where it forks and cross the burn by
stepping stones. On the other side stay on the main path, ignoring one
off to the left, and continue gradually uphill onto the long ridge of
Miadan Creag an Leth-chain. This rises up the side of cliff-backed
Coire an Lochain, then around the western flanks of Cairn Lochan to
cross the
watershed between two tiny pools, Lochan Buidhe feeds Loch A‘an to the
east and the lochan at the head of the March Burn drops steeply west
into the great defile of the Lairig Ghru pass. The broad summit dome of
Ben Macdui ( 1309m ) now rises ahead and after joining another path
coming
in from the east you soon reach this tremendous viewpoint.
Return to where the paths meet, then take the path that veers
north-east around Lochan Buidhe and traverse the eastern flanks of
Cairn Lochan to a col. Climb over Stob Coire an t-Sneachcla, then
continue to the cairn at the head of the Fiacaill a' Choire Chais ridge
and follow it down back to the ski centre. You could also tackle the
summit of
Cairn Gorm itself with a descent down the good path on its north
shoulder.
Cairn
Lochan
Map
and Route Description for Cairn Lochan circuit
Map
and Route Description for Carn a' Mhaim and Ben Macdui circuit
