Munros west of Lairig Ghru

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Getting to start at Linn of Dee

• From Braemar, drive west to the bridge over the Linn of Dee and the car-park just beyond. It's £2 to park here.

Beinn Bhrotain

• Walk or cycle back to the Linn of Dee, then continue along a fine track for 4.5km to 'White Bridge'. The NTS in their wisdom have decided to improve the path on the eastern side of the Dee, yet remove the track on the western side and replace it with an un-cyclable path. Why ? If you've cycled in, then leave your bike by 'White Bridge'.
• Head up the western side of the Dee for 3km to cross a burn. From here the track used to continue north, however the NTS have removed it completely. Previously I would have continued on a bike for a further 3km, then headed due west to the summit of Beinn Bhrotain.
• Now however, from the end of the path, its more enjoyable to cross the burn and head west-north-west on a soggy path in the direction of Carn Clioch-mhuilinn. The path gradually improves as it cuts through the heather and climbs Carn Clioch-mhuilinn.
• From Carn Clioch-mhuilinn, descend north-west on a path to a flat wet area, then climb 300m over easy ground to reach the large cairn on Beinn Bhrotain's summit. This is a fine summit, but is eclipsed by the grander peaks immediately north.

Monadh Mor

• After the easy trudge up to Beinn Bhrotain, the pink boulders that have to be descended next come as a bit of a shock. Due to the size of these, the path is not obvious, so careful navigation is needed in mist.
• Just above the 1000m contour, the boulders are left behind and the path continues to the sharp bealach.
• Initially steep up the other side of the col, the path continues north-west uphill, then becomes pretty faint as the ground flattens - carefully navigation in mist will again be required - don't be fooled by a couple of small cairns off left (west). There's a little pile of stones on the minor summit Leac Ghorm, but the main summit of Monadh Mor (650m further on) has an obvious, though rather small cairn. Not a great hill, however the best is ahead !

Braeriach

• From Monadh Mor, head north-west-north over grassy flat ground, then boulders as the descent steepens. As you're descending, start to turn north-east-north to aim for the watershed by the 899m marked on the OS Landranger map.
• A couple of small burns are crossed at the watershed, then it's a long trudge up an ascent of 350m on easy grass covered hillside to reach the bouldery plateau of Carn na Criche (1265m on the OS map).
• Further on, the river heading out from the Wells of Dee needs crossed - this can be quite tricky in spate or winter. Also look out for a herd of 30 or so reindeer !
• After crossing the river, the ground gets more boulder covered, though this indicates Braeriach's summit is not much further. The top is a spectacular place with a great view. The cliffs are dramatic, with snow that is said to linger all year round (though I doubt it in our current mild climate).

Sgor an Lochain Uaine (The Angel's Peak)

• After you've taken in the views, return over the Wells of Dee to Carn na Criche, then follow the edge of the corrie down south, then south-east, then east to the bealach before Sgor an Lochain Uaine (The Angel's Peak).
• An obvious path is then followed on the easier ground, but higher up you've got to pick your way carefully over boulders to reach Sgor an Lochain Uaine's summit.
• This Munro was only promoted from top status in 1997, however, due to the ascent, the descent and the views it's well worthy of its status.

Cairn Toul

• From Sgor an Lochain Uaine's cairn, descend 120m south-east over boulders to the col.
• More boulders ahead on the short 150m of ascent to the cairn on the Cairn Toul's summit. Stunning views to Braeriach and Ben MacDui.
• There is another cairn 200m south - take your pick which is on the actual summit (I prefer the northern one).

The Devil's Point

• Yet more boulders to descend south-west from the southern cairn to reach the gentle rise up to Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir.
• Just after the small cairn on this top, look for a faint path heading south-east, don't stick to the crest around Coire an t-Saighdeir. The path becomes more obvious as it crosses grass downhill.
• The Devil's Point looks tiny below, however once the wet bealach is crossed, there's a fair haul up a path and some boulders to reach its summit cairn. Quite a view south over the snaking Dee to the Glenshee hills and Lochnagar.

Return to Linn of Dee

• Return to the bealach, then descend on a recently improved path to Corrour Bothy.
• Cross the Dee via a delicate metal bridge, then follow the path south.
• Shortly after the bridge, there is a faint split in the path.
• If you've cycled in, then take the right (west) fork on a wet path cutting through the grass and heather. Further on recent path work has dramatically improved what was a wet peaty route back to White Bridge. Pick up your bike to cycle back to Linn of Dee.
• If you've walked in, then it's easier (and drier underfoot) to continue on the more defined path around the base of Carn a'Mhaim to Derry Lodge. From there head south-east to the bridge over Lui Water and return to the car-park.

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More photos are on Flickr !

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Braeriach and Feshie hills »

A cycle up a fine track to Loch Einich leads to many choices, including some fine rock-scrambles

Via the Lairig Ghru »

Bagging several Munros peaks via a fine journey taking in the Lairig Ghru without the need for a mountain-bike.

North East Ridge of Sgurr an Lochain Uaine (Angel's Peak) »

Some exposed Grade 1 scrambling in one of the more remote corners of the Cairngorms. Lochan Uaine is stunning !

Sgor Mor - a wee nearby Corbett »

Sgor Mor, a solitary Corbett, can be included with the 'Main route' as a slight detour on the return to White Bridge or done on its own .

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	Meall a'Bhuachaille A fine little hill with superb views, obvious paths and an annual hill race from Badaguish (coming soon).
	Cairngorm and Ben Macdui group Vast plateaus with Artic tundra, hidden lochans, long narrow crests, dark corries and weird granite tors.
	Glen Ey A cycle down to Altanour Lodge ruin from where a fine Munro-bagging circuit begins
	Above Geldie Lodge Above the old ruin of Geldie Lodge sit heather clad round hills. A bike is recommended for the approach
	Feshie In the heart of Rothiemurchus, heather and juniper cover the lower slopes, upper ground is flat and diffcult to navigate on in mist
	Monadh Liath Navigation work will be needed to cover the grassy ground on this moor - even in clear conditions !

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Approaches from Aviemore :

Hotels & Guest Houses	The Old Bridge Inn by Aviemore. Ravenscraig Guest House, Aviemore.
Food	Boathouse Restaurant, Loch Insh Potting Shed Tearoom, Inshriach Nursery Mountain Cafe, Aviemore Active Cafaidh, Aviemore
Campsites, Self Catering & Hostels	SYHA Cairngorm Lodge, Glenmore Glenmore Campsite Old Bridge Inn Bunkhouse, Aviemore Ruigh-aiteachain Bothy by the River Feshie Pottery Bunkhouse, Laggan

Approaches from Braemar :

Hotels & Guest Houses	Braemar Lodge Hotel and Cabins, Braemar Craiglea Guest House, Braemar Dalmore Guest House, Braemar Bridge of Cally Hotel
Food	Taste, Braemar Howie's Bistro, Dunkeld Moulin Hotel, near Pitlochry
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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Webcams	Cairngorms from Loch Morlich Watersports.
Local information	Cairngorms National Park Kincraig.com Rothiemurchus 'Heading for the Hills' access
Gear and Supplies	Ellis Brigham, Aviemore Cairngorm Mountain Sports, Aviemore Cairngorm Mountain
Forecasts	Cairn Toul on Mountain-Forecast Cairn Toul on Met Office Cairn Toul on YR MWIS - Eastern Highlands Scottish Avalance Information Service - Northern Cairngorms Scottish Midge Forecast XCWeather - UK Winds

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Our next guided event on the peaks west of the Lairig Ghru (Braeraich to Cairn Toul) will be part of a Cairngorms 4000ers event on 23-24 May'20. More information on the event is here.

We're heading up Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain as part of 2 days biking and hiking in from Braemar on 4-5 July'20. 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 :

• Cairngorm 4000ers, 7-8 August 2018
• Bespoke hiking days in the southern Cairngorms, 1-6 July 2018
• Cairngorm 4000ers, June 2016
• Loch A'an round, June 2015
• Cairngorm 4000ers, June 2014
• Cairngorm 4000ers, June 2013
• Cairngorm bike-hike, July 2012
• Cairngorms 4000s Challenge, May 2011

Contact us

Steven Fallon
31 Argyle Place
Edinburgh EH9 1JT

Office hours 9-5 Mon-Fri

0131 466 8152

info@stevenfallon.co.uk

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