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Home   Glossary

The Cairnwell

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
933 m (3061 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NO13517737
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
245 of 283 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Peak of bags
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  43   Braemar & Blair Atholl
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated) from  

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
The Cairnwell is one of the easiest ascents for the beginner but also one of the least attractive, with its decoration of Chair lifts and Radio masts.

The shape approximates to a triangular pyramid with the main ridge leading NW, and is the normal ascent route.

The NE slopes are moderate but littered with skiing equipment. The slopes to the SW and SE are steeper and rocky.

Hazards you may encounter on The Cairnwell include
 Crags within 1km of summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for The Cairnwell

The Cairnwell in the mist, taken on 22/01/2006

© Robert Lyall
Image by Robert Lyall

The Cairnwell from Sron na Goaithe showing the ski lifts and piste fencing.

© Graham Young
Image by Graham Young

The Cairnwell and, in the distance, the Cairngorms from Creag Leacach, 12th Jan '08

© Adam Rixon
Image by Adam Rixon

Looking south at The Cairnwell on the 01/02/09 on our way to Carn a' Gheoidh.

© Martin Forbes
Image by Martin Forbes
View All 22 Images for The Cairnwell

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Southeastern Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lochnagar
by Accuweather 		East Highlands
by Met Office 		Cairn Bannoch
by Metcheck
The Cairnwell Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
Results by distance from The Cairnwell
14.0 km
Schiehallion House
10 Glenshee Road Braemar
33.1 km
Muirhouses Farm B&B
Cortachy, Kirriemuir, Angus,
For information on camping visit
ScottishCamping.com who also produce
a map of scottish camp grounds.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include The Cairnwell.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include The Cairnwell
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 660 m 11.06 km 3.5 hrs Carn a' Gheoidh, The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda  Easy route, on terrain partially scarred by skiing equipment.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of The Cairnwell

  Baggers Gallery for The Cairnwell

Harley and me on top of The Cairnwell. Somebody dumped a tent on the top

© David Dickson
Image by David Dickson

Rebecca and Hannah on our first 'whole family' Munro

© Richard Humble
Image by Richard Humble

Top of The Cairnwell 06.09.09

© Dave Smith
Image by Dave Smith

At the top Cairnwell 05/07/09

© Peter Cook
Image by Peter Cook
View All 20 Baggers Images for The Cairnwell
The logging section stores any entries for The Cairnwell in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Pete Swales on 02 Dec 2009
Alasdair Cairns on 30 Nov 2009
Rob Young on 21 Nov 2009
Yvonne Dempsie on 14 Nov 2009
Colin Fagan on 14 Nov 2009
Dave Smith on 11 Nov 2009
David Dickson on 10 Nov 2009
Euan Ritchie on 09 Nov 2009
Harry Fraser on 08 Nov 2009
Andrew Porter on 31 Oct 2009
John Fulwood on 28 Oct 2009
Kenny Mitchell on 20 Oct 2009
Fiona Masson on 17 Oct 2009
Colin Chalmers on 08 Oct 2009
mackenzie barker on 28 Sep 2009
Michael Coffield on 28 Sep 2009
Graeme Weir on 28 Sep 2009
Janet Weir on 28 Sep 2009
Colin Gagen on 25 Sep 2009
William Fraser on 19 Sep 2009
Lisa O'keefe on 19 Sep 2009
Victoria Sheriff on 19 Sep 2009
Gary Milne on 15 Sep 2009
Richard Humble on 13 Sep 2009
Samantha Sands on 12 Sep 2009
Robert Murdoch on 06 Sep 2009
William Thomson on 29 Aug 2009
Colin Clarke on 22 Aug 2009
Chris Brand on 18 Aug 2009
Grant Golding on 15 Aug 2009
Alan Cochran on 24 Jul 2009
John Doig on 22 Jul 2009
Calum Dinnes on 14 Jul 2009
Julian Turner on 11 Jul 2009
Andrew Waddie on 11 Jul 2009
Peter Cook on 05 Jul 2009
Pete Murray on 04 Jul 2009
Mark Gordon on 27 Jun 2009
Philip Mcloone on 25 Jun 2009
Ian Watson on 25 Jun 2009
David Adams on 23 Jun 2009
Leif Findlay on 23 Jun 2009
Eric Rollo on 21 Jun 2009
Peter Dorrington on 19 Jun 2009
Jo Duncan on 19 Jun 2009
Andy Winter on 14 Jun 2009
Geoffrey Knott on 12 Jun 2009
Hilary Neilson on 11 Jun 2009
Julie Fisher on 06 Jun 2009
Al Savage on 30 May 2009
Eric john Summers on 30 May 2009
Stephen Harte on 24 May 2009
Stephen Brooks on 23 May 2009
Gordon Clarke on 20 May 2009
Bob Lane on 20 May 2009
Alan White on 05 May 2009
David Moore on 04 May 2009
David Cochrane on 03 May 2009
Richard Goodman on 03 May 2009
Gary Jamieson on 02 May 2009
Dave Smith on 02 May 2009
Bob Walls on 01 May 2009
John Stephen on 26 Apr 2009
Peter Tindal on 25 Apr 2009
Ian Crozier on 22 Apr 2009
Andrew Gallacher on 19 Apr 2009
Jerry & Finlay Morse on 18 Apr 2009
Malcolm Richardson on 11 Apr 2009
Laura Troiano on 05 Apr 2009
Keith Ross on 04 Apr 2009
Steve Smith on 22 Mar 2009
Andrew Gifford on 20 Mar 2009
John Smith on 20 Mar 2009
Iain Mclaren on 17 Mar 2009
Ian Conn on 15 Mar 2009
Ian Young on 01 Mar 2009
Michael Hill on 22 Feb 2009
Glynn Dodd on 13 Feb 2009

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh
by Jan Konstmann
Carn a' Gheoidh, The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
by Alasdair Cairns

Post a few words about The Cairnwell or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 6 comments. Would you like to view all 6?
Gareth Pratt
wrote on
May 21, 2009
Utterly depressing place. Nothing more to say. Quite frankly it looks as if Sauron wanted to see how much damage he could inflict in one place before going on to occupy Mount Doom.
Donny McKie
wrote on
December 3, 2006
This hill is a baggers dream and the easiest tick you'll ever get. Nevertheless, it should consider itself very lucky that it just happens to be within the height range of the munro. There is nothing to commend the ascent of this hill. The summit is a mess and the overwhelming feeling is to leave the summit as quickly as possible.
Robert Lyall
wrote on
January 22, 2006
Steep ascent from the car park following the Cairnwell chairlift. The summit itself is a disappointment, with electrical cables, debris, barbed wire and 'telecoms' debris strewn across the ground. One to climb when the mist is down! PS a thin covering of snow did not hide the debris!!
Pete Grayson
wrote on
August 9, 2005
A much better approach to the Cairnwell starts at the large roadside car park at the base of the hill (opposite Creag Leacach), before you climb to the Ski Centre. There is an obvious track starting from the old road that leads over half way up the hill then a path takes you to the top. It's quite steep in places but avoids the ski tows and give good views down the glen during the climb.
Matt Garrard
wrote on
June 27, 2005
What a hideous mess, so glad it was such a quick hill to do, i only hope that it looks better with a good covering of snow
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for The Cairnwell
 
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