Lairig Ghru

A wonderful old drovers’ track linking Coylumbridge on Speyside to upper Deeside, passing through a sensational sheer-sided fissure in the high Cairngorm plateau. Traverse from the Spey to the Dee rivers through some of Scotland’s finest scenery. See deer, eagles, and other special wildlife.

This is one of The Great Walks, but a very long day: breaking it up (in good weather) with a night out or in the Corrour hut is unforgettable. You could then return to Speyside via Glen Derry and Lairig an Laoigh to make a remarkable circuit or you can tackle one of the Cairngorm’s great peaks – Cairn Toul or Braeriach or Ben Macdui before walking out – it would be rude, even negligent, not to.

The scenery is extraordinary throughout - all clichés apply - as is the natural world you pass through: wild, lonely glens populated by deer, eagles, and capercaillie.

A very fit person can do this in one very long day. But, this is tough walking in fickle mountains, so come prepared.

The Cairngorms: Walks, Trails and Scrambles – Cicerone. As usual, a brilliantly researched book covering 102 fantastic walks of all shapes and sizes. Find relevant books on Amazon.

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