Cairn Gorm (Cairngorm)
Munro peak and 6th highest mountain in Scotland
Meaning 'blue cairn', Cairngorm now lends it's name to the vast area in the Eastern Highlands known as the Monadh Ruadh. In summer conditions, Cairngorm is one of the easiest Munros to bag !Cairn Gorm
| Height | 1244.8m |
| Prominence | 145m |
| Meaning | blue cairn |
| Lists | Munro, 6 |
| Location | Lairig Ghru to Lairig an Laoigh, Cairngorms and North East Grampians |
| Grid Ref | NJ005041 |
| Lat/Lon | 57.1167, -3.64339 |
When viewed from Aviemore or the A9 to the north, Cairngorm is a rounded dome at the eastern end of the vast Monadh Ruadh plateau, snow often showing the lines of the ski-runs in Coire Cas.
Outwith the skiing-season, Cairngorm is one of the easiest Munros to bag when approaching from Cairngorm Base Station to the north. However, this would do the mountain an injustice and finer routes head up 'Windy Ridge', follow the rim of the 'Northern Corries' and extend out to Ben Madui and other high mountains.
There are some fine and well maintained paths to follow and much of the higher ground is fairly flat and grass-covered, interspersed with boulderfields. The cliffs above Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain are quite spectacular and favourite playground of the winter climbing community. Beware, when visibility is reduced, navigation can be tricky !
Routes up Cairn Gorm
Cairngorm and Ben Macdui | |
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Ben Macdui and Cairngorm are two of the highest mountains in the country and rest in on the vast plateaux of the Cairngorms in Scotland's eastern highlands. Starting from a height of 650m and with gently rising slopes leading up to the Munro summits, this is a relatively easy route in clear summer conditions. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1000m (3280ft) Distance : 17km (11m) Time : 6hr |
Cairngorm 4000s | |
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The vast plateaux of the Cairngorms in Scotland's eastern highlands rise above huge cliffs and dark corries. On the plateaux are five of the UK's mountains over 4000ft including Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Cairngorm and these can be bagged in one circular route from Glenmore. Peaks : 5 Munros
Ascent : 2250m (7380ft) Distance : 28km (17m) Time : 10:45hr |
Cairngorm Darkside from the north | |
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Between Aviemore and Braemar and east of the Lairig Ghru are vast plateaus with several Munro peaks amongst the hidden lochans, long narrow crests, dark corries, huge cliffs and weird granite tors. This route heads in from Cairngorm ski centre heading as far south as Derry Cairngorm. The hidden gem of Loch Avon with its undisturbed beaches is visited en route, nearby a search will find the 'Shelter Stone' - a place to overnight out of wind ! Peaks : 4 Munros
Ascent : 1480m (4860ft) Distance : 21km (13m) Time : 7:45hr |
Nearby hills and mountains
