Home » Hills » Munros » Eastern Highlands » Ben Avon & neighbours
Ben Avon & neighbours
Routes to these mountains are through Scots Pine forests full of wildlife - from grouse and deer to snakes and ant colonies.
Higher up amongst dramatic scenery of cliffs and weird volcanic tors, ptarmigan and hare entertain.
The route up Ben Avon is one of the
best Munro days.
Main route summary
Good cyclable tracks access the area.
The unusual volcanic tors on Ben Avon will have you wandering all over the place to investigate and the summit tor requires an easy scramble.
Beinn a'Bhuird has huge cliffs with a summit on a vast plateau, with a tiny cairn resting there requiring navigation skills in mist.
Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac are slightly less interesting in comparison, picking these out from Beinn a'Bhuird or Ben Avon is not immediately obvious.
Rough undulating moorland runs between the summits of these two Munros progress over which can be tedious in mist.
| Munros |
Ben Avon (1171m, Munro 17)
Beinn a'Bhuird (1197m, Munro 11)
Beinn a'Chaorainn (1083m, Munro 59)
Beinn Bhreac (931m, Munro 250)
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| Corbetts |
Carn na Drochaide* (818m)
Carn Liath* (862m)
Culardoch* (900m)
* see alternative routes below
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| Ascent |
1740m (5,700ft)
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| Distance |
40km (incl 16km on bike) (25m/10m)
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| Time |
biking/walk : 10hr*
biking/run : 5:30hr
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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| Start/finish |
Linn of Quoich
(grid ref : NO174911)
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Profile
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Maps
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Which map to choose ?
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Downloads
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| Terrain | | easy |
 | difficult |
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| Navigation | | easy |
 | testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
 | long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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| Meanings |
Ben Avon : 'hill of the bright one'
Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe : 'bed of the yellow stag'
Beinn a'Bhuird : 'hill of the table'
Beinn a'Chaorainn : 'hill of the rowan'
Beinn Bhreac : 'speckled hill'
Carn na Drochaide : 'hill of the bridge'
Carn Liath : 'grey cairn'
Culardoch : 'big back high place'
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Route detail & map »
Getting there
- From Braemar, take the road to the Linn of Dee, then continue to the road end at Linn of quoich.
As the NTS is discouraging cars from crossing the wooden bridge at Linn of Quoich, park in the car-park just before the bridge.
Ben Avon
- A track heads west uphill from the roadside, bike up this, join another track and head north-west through beautiful Glen Quoich forest for 6km.
Leave bikes where the track fords Quoich Water.
- Cross the river - to avoid getting wet feet there are some handy boulders slightly upstream to bounce across on.
The track on the other side of the river splits, take the right fork and follow it for just over 1km where it ends abruptly at the river's edge.
- Pick up a path following the river bank.
This path has seen some recent improvement work making for rapid and enjoyable progress.
Look carefully as you walk by and you'll find large ant hills, some aside the path's edge.
- After around 2km and out of the forest, the path heads down to cross Quoich water (difficult in spate).
On the other side, the path connects with that coming from Invercauld and turns north.
- Recently improved, this path continues around Carn Eas and up to the bealach between Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird.
This is the route to take in poor weather.
A worn path then heads east up onto the plateau and Ben Avon's summit to comes into view.
- If in fine weather however, continue on it only as far as the burn at the base of Carn Eas (NO118979), then after crossing the burn, head north directly uphill over heather and occasional wet patches and the views begin to open up.
It is a continuous slog up nearly 400m before the ascent eases, a small cairn is reached and Ben Avon's summit tor, Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe, comes into view.
The tor looks close, but it's still 3km away !
- Both of the above routes converge and then continue over pathless but flat, grassy ground, aiming directly for the summit tor.
Once the tor is reached, go through the gap and ascend it via an easy scramble on the other side.
The views are good in most directions - try picking out the other tors and tops on Ben Avon's complex plateau and ridges.
Beinn a'Bhuird
- From the Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe tor, return south-west over a minor top to pick up a path heading down around the edge of the corrie to the bealach between Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird.
Some interesting weathered rocks at the col.
- Follow the path heading west up some scree.
The ground levels, becomes grass covered and then it's not too obvious as to what direction to aim, yes in mist this can be navigationally testing !
- Keep to the left (south) of the minor top ahead and stick in a west-south-west direction.
- Beinn a'Bhuird's North Top comes into view, cross a small burn and continue over pathless grassy ground to the small cairn on the summit.
Due to the large flat area here, you'll have to walk a few yards from the cairn to get the best views.
Beinn a'Chaorainn
- From the North Top, it's actually quite difficult to pick out Beinn a'Chaorainn from the view, as Beinn Mheadhoin, Cairngorm and Bynack Mor all tower above this apparently insignificant Munro.
- Aim due west from Beinn a'Bhuird's summit cairn for 1km over heather and down occasional short steep bouldery sections.
The ground flattens and an indistinct path can be picked up.
Continuing west, pass the lochans, cross a burn and aim directly over heather then boulders up Beinn a'Chaorainn.
- If you fancy a slight de-tour then Beinn a'Chaorainn Beag and its lochans are worth a visit.
- There's a large cairn on Beinn a'Chaorainn's summit. Fine views are had to the surrounding higher peaks.
Beinn Bhreac
- Beinn Bhreac is 5km away but it's a slog and feels even further !
- Initially on a worn path through scree, from Beinn a'Chaorainn's cairn, aim south-east-south.
The path becomes more indistinct, but continue in the same direction and descend to the flat Moine Bhealaidh.
- The terrain is now grassy, interspersed with occasional wet peat hags and burns and can be rough underfoot testing your ankles.
You should however be able to trace a faint path to follow south.
- As this path begins uphill, it becomes more obvious and ends up between the two tops on Beinn Bhreac.
Turn east over a minor rise to reach the cairn on Beinn Bhreac's main summit. Nice views south !
Return
- Pathless heather covers the ground south of Beinn Bhreac and it's steep initially too !
Rather than aiming directly down to Glen Quoich, I've found the route over Meall an Lundain much more enjoyable and easier, particularly towards the end of a long hike.
- So from Beinn Bhreac, aim south-west-south to a narrow gap, then climb lighty heather covered ground up Meall an Lundain.
- From this hill, turn east-south-east, downhill, then follow the edge of the planted forest down to Quoich Water.
Pick up your bike and enjoy the cycle back to Linn of Quoich.
Photos of route »
The route in via Glen Quoich
Crossing Quoich water the easy way, Beinn a'Bhuird beyond right
Beinn a'Bhuiridh from the River Quoich
Heading up from the col between Avon and Bhuiridh, Beinn a'Bhuird behind
Frozen footprints on Ben Avon, looking to Glenshee & Beinn a'Ghlo
The main tor on Ben Avon - my last Munro on my 4th round
Scrambling to the top of Ben Avon's tor
Cassie on the Ben Avon's summit tor
Leaving Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe and heading west
Heading up Beinn a'Bhuiridh from the col, Ben Avon behind
Let's bike it to the top of Beinn a'Bhuird
One man and his dog braving a night on Beinn a'Bhuird
Beinn a'Bhuird's corries and spring cornices
Heading up Beinn Bhreac from Glen Derry
Aiming to Beinn a'Chaorainn
Descending Beinn Bhreac to Glen Quoich
In Glen Avon, bridge over Builg Burn
Approach fromm Glenmore
More photos are on Flickr !
Alternative routes »
Ben Avon, Beinn a'Bhuird and Carn an Drochaide from Invercauld
A track leads in from the south-east, from which a short detour allows Carn an Drochaide to be bagged on the way to Ben Avon.
Beinn a'Chaorainn and Bhreac from Derry Lodge
A pleasant cycle and walk into Derry Lodge leads to a fairly dreary walk up these quiet hills.
Carn Liath, Culardoch and more tops from Invercauld
It is possible to bike it nearly all the way up these Corbetts, then bag some tops by foot.
| Ascent |
940m (6,350ft)
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| Distance |
43km (27m)
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| Time |
walking : 14hr
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| Terrain | | easy |
 | difficult |
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| Nav | | easy |
 | testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
| long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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Getting there
- On the A93, east of Braemar Castle, on the east side of Bridge of Dee, there is a road heading north, marked "Kelloch".
A few metres up this road there is a recently cleared car-park with notice boards and toilet.
It will cost you £2.50 to park here, but Invercauld Estate does some wonderful work.
- Cycle for around 1.5km, then at a junction, head north.
Bike it all the way to the bealach between Carn Liath and Culardoch.
- Leave your bike behind at the bealach, strike west uphill on a path to bag Carn Liath.
This Corbett has two tops both with a spot height of 862m, the eastern one is considered the summit.
- Return to the bealach, then north-east on the track for just under 1km.
Leave the track at a sharp bend and hike eastwards on a path up the short distance to Culardoch's summit.
- If you're just after the Corbett summits, return to the bealach and cycle back the way you came in.
- The day can be extended by heading up to Ben Avon.
- After bagging Carn Liath and Culardoch, return to the bealach, then northwards down a path following the Allt na Claise Moire to the River Gairn.
- Cross it via the bridge, then head north-west directly uphill to bag Ben Avon and its weird tops and tors.
- Return up to the bealach and free-wheel most of the way back.
Interactive OS map
Ben Avon from Tomintoul
A delightful cycle on a fine track aside the River Avon, followed by well defined path up most of the way to Ben Avon's summit.
| Ascent |
1060m (3,490ft)
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| Distance |
40km (25m)
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| Time |
bike/walk : 6hr
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| Terrain | | easy |
| difficult |
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| Nav | | easy |
| testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
 | long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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Getting there
- Tomintoul is one of the highest villages in the UK and is on the A939 halway between Ballater and Grantown-on-Spey.
In the village, near the southern end, a Right-of-way sign points to Dalestie.
Drive up this road, then rough track to a car-park with information board.
- On bike, cycle south on the rough track.
- The track meets up with the tarred road coming from Delavorar Farm, then continues tarred for around 6km. A delightful cycle can be enjoyed taking in the scenery.
- Beyond the ruin at Dalesie the road reverts to a fine smooth track and is followed down to the Linn of Avon, where a bridge over the Builg Burn is met.
Cross the bridge cycle for 200m and leave your bike by the path that heads off left (south).
- On foot, follow this path uphill. The path is obvious to begin with, then gets fainter - when it does, look for a cairn on the skyline ahead and aim for this.
- Beyond this cairn the path becomes more obvious again and climbs gently uphill to the wieerd rocks of East Muir Gorm Craig.
- The path picks a way through the heather on the eastern side of West Muir Gorm Craig then disappears on the approach to Mullach Lochan nan Gobhar.
The tor that can be seen from here is not the summit, it's the one marked 1122m on the OS map. The summit is further on in a more south-westerly direction.
- After bagging Ben Avon's summit and having some fun scrambling around on it, return via the same route.
Interactive OS map
Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn from Glenmore
From the north, cycle past the beautiful 'Green Lochan', then hike up tracks and paths to reach these two Munro summits
| Ascent |
1480m (4,865ft)
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| Distance |
42km (26m)
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| Time |
bike/walk : 11:15hr
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| Terrain | | easy |
| difficult |
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| Nav | | easy |
| testing |
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| Effort | | stroll |
| long day |
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| Scenery | | ok |
| stunning |
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Getting there
- From the south end of Aviemore, the Cairn Gorm ski centre road heads east.
- 10km along this road is the junction for the Glenmore Centre - Scotland's National Outdoor Training Centre.
- Park at the end of this narrow road then on foot or by bike head up the track heading north-east.
You'll pass the lovely 'green loch' on the way, worth stopping to take in the atmosphere.
- 2km after setting off, you'll come to a junction - left will take you to Ryvoan Bothy and the start of the path up Meall a'Bhuachaille.
Turn right for the track to Bynack More, 2km further up you'll come to a bridge over the River Nethy.
- Over the bridge, and now on a well maintained path, aim south-east uphill.
- The path climbs up then drops into Coire Odhar, where it becomes rougher and unmaintained.
Further on, the path travels around Bynack More, improves again for a breif period, then reaches the small shelter by the Fords of Avon.
- Cross the River Avon (easy if levels are low, impossible if in spate) and continue for a further 300m on a well defined path.
- Leave the path and strike directly uphill, aiming due south on the grassy ground between wet slabs.
As the summit of Beinn a'Chaorainn nears the ground becomes more boulder covered.
- From Beinn a'Chaorainn head over to Beinn Bhreac as described in the 'Main route'.
- After reaching Beinn Bhreac, return north-west towards Craig Derry, then descend on grass and heather to the path in Lairig an Laoigh.
- Follow this path northwards (rough in places) back to the Fords of Avon and re-trace your route back to Glenmore.
Interactive OS map
Other hill routes nearby »
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Lecht Corbetts
Heather clad gentle slopes above the Lecht Ski Centre lead to two quiet Corbetts
(coming soon)
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Lochnagar and above Loch Muick
5 Munros, including famed Lochnagar with its winter climbing crags, form a high-level circuit above Loch Muick
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Glen Ey
A cycle down to Altanour Lodge ruin from where a fine Munro-bagging circuit begins
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Above Geldie Lodge
Above the old ruin of Geldie Lodge sit heather clad round hills. A bike is recommended for the approach
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Cairngorm and Ben Macdui group
Vast plateaus with Artic tundra, hidden lochans, long narrow crests, dark corries and weird granite tors.
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Meall a'Bhuachaille
Standing alone, this Corbett gives stunning views of the surround Cairngorms
(coming soon)
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Accommodation & food »
Hotels &
Guest Houses |
Braemar Lodge Hotel and Cabins, Braemar
Craiglea Guest House, Braemar
Dalmore Guest House, Braemar
Bridge of Cally Hotel
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| Food |
Taste, Braemar
Brown Sugar Cafe, Ballater
Howie's Bistro, Dunkeld
Moulin Hotel, near Pitlochry
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Campsites,
Self Catering
& Hostels |
Habitat@Ballater
SYHA Hostel, Braemar (mixed reviews)
NTS Mar Lodge
Caravan Club Campsite, Braemar
Airlie House Cottage, Braemar
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Forecasts & other useful info »
Guided days on these mountains »
Our next guided event on the Ben Avon and the eastern Cairngorms is a 2 day bike n' hiking event over
7-8 October'19.
More information on the event is
here.
Alternatively, if you would like a bespoke day or two hiking over these peaks, we would be delighted to organise something for you and your group.
Check out our
Bespoke Guiding page for more information.
Previous guided events on our Blog and Flickr :
