Munros above Glen Dee and Glen Geusachan
Hillwalking route up Monadh Mor, Beinn Bhrotain and Devils Point
West of Braemar, fine estate tracks lead through NTS land to the wild southern Cairngorms. Rising from the glens, the dramatic slabs of The Devils Point and the rounded lumps of Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor rest here at the southern end of high land overlooking the Lairig Ghru.
Route outline
Munros | ||||
Walk ascent | 1400m (4590ft) | |||
distance | 27km (17m) | |||
time | 9:00hr | |||
Bike ascent | 25m (80ft) | |||
distance | 10km (6m) | |||
time | 1:00hr | |||
Start/finish | Linn of Dee Grid Ref : NN852976 | |||
Terrain |
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Nav |
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Effort |
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Scenery |
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West of the Lairig Ghru and south of the imposing peaks of Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine, high ground encircles Glen Geusachan. On this ground are the Munro summits of Beinn Bhrotain, Monadh Mor and the Devil's point, and combined together form a wonderful high-level circular route.
The easiest and most direct approach is from Linn of Dee, a few miles west of Braemar, from where a fine track leads to White Bridge. A bike makes for light effort to get to this point, from where constructed paths lead northwards through the wild glens to the foot of the mountains. Fainter paths climb the slopes and for those who'd like to stay a night or two, lonely Corrour Bothy sits below the dramatic slabs of the Devil's Point.
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Route description
1. Getting to Linn of Dee
Beinn Bhrotain from White Bridge
From Braemar, drive west along its main street, veering right at the Hazelnut Patisserie, then continue on an unclassified road for 9km to the bridge over the Linn of Dee. Cross the bridge, turn sharp right and you'll come to a large car-park on your left. There is a one-way system around this car-park which is operated by the National Trust for Scotland and there is a daily charge of £3 to park.
2. Beinn Bhrotain
Approaching Beinn Bhrotain from the south-east
Walk or cycle back to the bridge over the Linn of Dee, then continue westwards along a fine track following the north side of the River Dee for 4.5km to 'White Bridge' . If you've cycled in, then best leave your bike here.
Head up the path tracing western bank of the Dee for around 3km to cross a burn .
Immediately after crossing the burn, turn away from the constructed path onto a fainter one heading west-north-west climbing gently uphill. The path cuts a route through heather and climbs Carn Clioch-mhuilinn .
From Carn Clioch-mhuilinn, descend north-west on a path to a flat expanse, then climb 300m over easy terrain to reach the large cairn on Beinn Bhrotain's summit . This is a fine summit, from where fine views are given over the Devil's Point to Cairn Toul.
3. Monadh Mor
Monadh Mor from Beinn Bhrotain
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 aiming north-west is needed in mist.
Just above the 1000m contour, the boulders are left behind and a path continues to the sharp bealach between Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor.
Initially steep up the other side of the bealach, the path zig-zags north-west uphill, then becomes pretty faint as the ground begins to flatten - 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.
4. Devil's Point
Monadh Mor from the Devil's Point
From Monadh Mor, continue following the faint path in a northerly direction over grassy flat ground. The grass gives way to more bouldery ground as descending begins. The path disappears as Loch nan Stuirteag comes into view, aim for the ground to the east of this.
Maintaining height, contour around the top of Glen Geusachan, crossing a couple of burns coming down from Cairn Toul - there should be occasional deer-trods to trace through heather. The ground levels, terrain becomes easier underfoot as progress is made to the beleach north-west of the Devil's Point. A well-defined path cuts a rough through boulderfield to the Devil's Point's summit - a superb vantage point to view down Glen Dee to the southern Cairngorms and beyond.
5. Return to Linn of Dee
The Devil's point above Corrour Bothy
Return to the bealach below the Devil's Point, then pick up a path that crosses a burn then zig-zags to descend to Corrour Bothy .
Below the bothy, cross the River Dee via a delicate metal bridge , then follow the path south-east.
Shortly after the bridge, there is a faint split in the path .....
If you've cycled in to White Bridge, then take the right (west) fork on a path cutting through the grass and heather. The path initially can be a bit soggy, but further on it improves making a fine route back to White Bridge .
Pick up your bike to cycle back to Linn of Dee.
If you've walked in, then at the junction an alternative is to take the higher path which travels around the base of Carn a'Mhaim into Gleann Laoigh Bheag to Derry Lodge. From here an estate track heads south-east to the bridge over Lui Water and returns to the car-park.
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Weather forecasts »
Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
Seasonal | SAIS - Northern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
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