Cairn Gorm

It is easy to write Cairn Gorm off as skiing-scarred landscape, which those serious about their scenery will want to avoid – and its summit can be overpopulated as a result of high roadheads. But there is a heap of glorious scenery on its high massif, be it the great cliffs of Cairn Lochan to its west, the approach along the northern ridge, the steep climbs from Loch Avon to the east, or a crossing of the high plateau from Ben Macdui.

Cairn Gorm is most often approached from Speyside and a car park at 2,150ft. You can walk it  together with Cairn Lochan above its great cliffs at the western end of the plateau; and you can walk Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui along the high plateau running between them.

Special walks include:

• The scrambles up the middle of the huge cliffs of the magnificent Coire an t-Sneachda, north-facing above the western ridge to Cairn Lochan, including the Fiacaill Ridge to its west.
• Walking the length of the Cairn Lochan ridge, with an ascent/descent via Lurcher’s Crag at its far west.

Cairn Gorm walks are hugely variable in length and difficulty, from shortish and easyish but depressing (the direct climb from the car park via Coire Gas) to a Cairn Lochan Full Monty at 19km/8hrs round trip.

This is demanding walking in remote mountains. It can be very dangerous in bad weather, as it has great cliffs and crags at its flanks. Come fully prepared, including to descend quickly if the weather deteriorates.

The Cairngorms: Walks, Trails and Scrambles – Cicerone. As usual, a brilliantly researched book covering 102 fantastic walks of all shapes and sizes, including several approaches to Cairn Gorm. And written by the at times poetic Ronald Turnbull.

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For further general and practical information and photos, please go to our Cairngorms page.