Derry Cairngorm Route Information

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Derry Cairngorm

Quick Facts

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

1144 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

6.5 hrs

The horizontal distance of the route.

Route Distance

23.18 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.

OS Landranger Maps Required

36	Grantown & Aviemore, Cairngorm Mountains
43	Braemar & Blair Atholl

Only £6.29 (£13.49 Laminated) from

A brief summary of this route.

Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.

Notes

Derry Cairngorm is the closest of the Cairgorm Munros to the Linn of Dee, but this is still a relatively big day requiring endurance. The Mountain is an easy ascent, but the boulder strewn summit slopes can be slow to cross. The route duration can be shor

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 1,144 metres. Allow 6.5 hours to complete this 23.18 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
		NO06358981	Distance	Altitude 380 m

1	Walk/cycle E to start of unsurfaced road
		NO06808984	Distance 0.40 km	Altitude 366 m

2	Follow winding unsurfaced road NW to Derry Lodge
		NO04129339	Distance 5.25 km	Altitude 425 m

3	Cross river to start of path up Carn Crom
		NO04139359	Distance 0.23 km	Altitude 763 m

4	Ascend on path NW towards summit of Carn Crom
		NO02459549	Distance 2.70 km	Altitude 890 m

5	Bear NNE to col above Coire na Saobhaidh then NNW to minor top (1040m)
		NO02029727	Distance 2.00 km	Altitude 1040 m

6	Ascend NNW over boulders to summit of Derry Cairngorm
		NO01729804	Distance 0.87 km	Altitude 1155 m

7	Reverse route to return
		NO06358981	Distance 11.72 km	Altitude 380 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

Weather

Cairngorms * Monadhliath
by MWIS (PDF format)

East Highlands
by Met Office

Derry Cairngorm
by Metcheck

Images of Derry Cairngorm

Derry Cairngorm from the slopes of Carn Crom, taken on a beautiful November day in 2006. The first snows of winter had fallen on the peaks during the previous week

Image by Colin Barclay

Derry Cairngorm viewed from eastern slopes of Ben Macdui leadiing down towards Loch Etchacan. Lochnagar visible in far distance just above summit of Derry Cairngorm. Beinn A'Bhuird visible on far left.

Image by Steve Cooke

Derry Cairngorm seen from Carn a'Mhaim.

Image by Graham Young

Derry Cairngorm from Beinn Mheadhoin 17th July '10

Image by Alistair Craig

Route Area Map

Legend

Munro

Corbett

Graham

English/Welsh Top

Accommodation

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Where to Stay

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Rating & Reviews

Rating & Reviews

Rated:

from 3 votes

Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating

Written by Graham Scott on 04 May 2006:

The route as described is incorrect in that when you cross the river at derry lodge you should head up the path straight ahead N. This path has recently been upgraded and is in excellent shape. It skirts the summit of Carn Crom. Better route in my opinion is to go up Glen Derry, follow the path up to Loch Etchachan and then head south to Derry Cairngorm and continue S down the ridge using the refurbished path to bring you out at Derry Lodge.

Written by Jo Barn on 14 May 2002:

A generally easy walk with superb views along the ridge and into the Lairig Ghru. Best of all was the really excellent view of Ben Macdui - the route leaves Derry Cairngorm right under the south corrie of Ben Macdui. I never knew it was such a fine mountain.

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.

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