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
650 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
3 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
7.74 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
A very easy route is made less desirable by the ski tows, funicular railway and the erosion of fragile soil and plants. It is best climbed on route to somewhere more pleasant e.g. Beinn Mheadhion.
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: Aviemore
From Aviemore (B9152) follow the signs for Coylumbridge W on B970 crossing the River Spey. From Coylumbridge take the road for Glemore Forest Park and the Cairngorm Ski Centre. This road takes you along the shores of Loch Morlich. Continue on the ski road to the upper car park where it terminates.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 650 metres. Allow 3 hours to complete this 7.74 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 Ski Centre Carpark
NH98950608
Distance
Altitude 626 m
1
Avoid temptation to get on funicular railway and head SW on path
NH98670567
Distance 0.60 km
Altitude 650 m
2
At branch, turn S into Coire an t-Sneachda
NH98840458
Distance 1.14 km
Altitude 777 m
3
Leave path and ascend E onto crest of Fiacaill a' Choire Chais ridge
NH99320466
Distance 0.49 km
Altitude 910 m
4
Continue SE up ridge to plateau
NH99910399
Distance 0.89 km
Altitude 1135 m
5
Follow path E to summit of Cairn Gorm
NJ00560407
Distance 0.75 km
Altitude 1245 m
6
Reverse route to return
NH98950608
Distance 3.87 km
Altitude 626 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Cairngorm showing the cairn (left) and the weather station on the skyline taken from the slopes of the un-named 1176 top between Cairngorm and Cairn Lochan.
Looking back down the horrendous, well maintained path to the Ptarmigan restaurant. Loch Morlich is visible in the distance to the left of the picture.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 2 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Stephen Graham
on 18 Aug 2003:
Not the most pleasant of routes but as it was my 7 year old sons first munro we decided to stick to the easiest option.
Now that the Ptarmigan operates a closed system for folks who get the train up to the summit was quiet and clean. The views from the top were very fine indeed.
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.
