This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
1215 m
An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.
Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.
Route Time
9 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
32.77 km
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.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
This is a long route requiring endurance, but the ascent is not technically difficult. The summit is a rocky "torr" but this is not difficult to climb. The route time can be shortened by cycling into Glen Derry.
Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.
We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.
Travel Information
Head to: Braemar
From Braemar (A93) travel W on minor road sign-posted "Linn of Dee" continue on this road to the falls where the road crosses the River Dee and turns E. After a short distance enter the car park on your left.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,215 metres. Allow 9 hours to complete this 32.77 km route.
In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.
The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.
Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.
The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.
Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.
Route Information
Waypoint Detail
Start from large Carpark at Linn of Dee
NO06368978
Distance
Altitude 380 m
1
Walk/cycle E to start of unsurfaced road
NO06808983
Distance 0.40 km
Altitude 366 m
2
Continue NW through forest
NO06269079
Distance 1.13 km
Altitude 400 m
3
The track continues N to bridge across the Lui Water
NO06359143
Distance 0.67 km
Altitude 404 m
4
Head NW to junction with path to Clais Fhearnaig
NO05809233
Distance 1.12 km
Altitude 423 m
5
Continue NW to Derry Lodge
NO04059344
Distance 2.15 km
Altitude 425 m
6
Take path NNE into Glen Derry
NO04239392
Distance 0.53 km
Altitude 438 m
7
Follow track/path N through Glen Derry to the junction with path to Loch Etchachan
NO03539905
Distance 5.51 km
Altitude 545 m
8
Take left branch and head NE past Hutchison Memorial Hut to Loch Etchachan
NJ01260032
Distance 2.79 km
Altitude 940 m
9
Turn NE and ascend steep slopes to 1163m top
NJ01860115
Distance 1.16 km
Altitude 1163 m
10
Continue ENE to reach the tor N of Stob Coire Etchachan
NJ02220121
Distance 0.37 km
Altitude 1155 m
11
Bear NNE and ascend summit tor of Beinn Mheadhoin
NJ02470170
Distance 0.57 km
Altitude 1182 m
12
Return SW to Tor N of Stob Coire Etchachan
NJ02220121
Distance 0.57 km
Altitude 1155 m
13
Continue WSW to 1163m top
NJ01860115
Distance 0.37 km
Altitude 1163 m
14
Descend SW to join path by Loch Etchachan
NJ01260032
Distance 1.16 km
Altitude 940 m
15
Follow path SSE to junction
NO03539905
Distance 2.79 km
Altitude 595 m
16
Return S on approach route
NO06368978
Distance 11.51 km
Altitude 380 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Like the idea of a more mobile base for your next Munro?
Fantastic, high quality, heated, 2-4 berth campervans for hire.
The perfect year-round base, freedom to choose where you go to get the most from the weather, and a cosy base to come back to after a great day on the hill!
Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 3 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Scott Strathdee
on 23 Jun 2007:
Took me eight hours on foot at a good steady pace. Save for a good day, as the views are great and the climb up to the summit is not to bad .
Written by
Graham Mclaren
on 29 May 2004:
It is easy to cycle as far as Derry Lodge, then cross the bridge and head north up Glen Derry (the right of way road was being bulldozed out when I was there in May 2004), the path at first is rough over the tree roots but once over the bridge it improves. It branches north west into Coire Etchachan, past the shelter and at the loch outlet strike a line north east up the grass and feint path to the first of the tors. The largest of which is not too difficult to climb.
I found this route better, although longer it saved that climb back up the Cairn Gorm plateau on the way back.
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map,
a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
