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Cac Carn Beag, Carn a' Choire Bhoideach & Carn an t-Sagairt Mor
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
1600 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
8.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
27.65 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
  44   Ballater, Glen Clova & surrounding area
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
Lochnagar is a classic mountain with its deep corrie and steep cliffs, yet this is an easy route on paths. The other two peaks on this route are little more than high points on an undulating moorland plateau, therefore, this route is really a long walk!

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: Ballater

From Ballater (A93) travel S over River Dee and the SW to Bridge of Muick. From here take minor Road (S) on east side of River Muick to its termination in a large car park at Spittal of Glenmuick.

Route Waypoint Map

The total ascent is 1,600 metres. Allow 8.5 hours to complete this 27.65 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 at Spittal of Glenmuick Carpark
  NO31028511 Distance
Altitude
415 m
1
Head SW 300m, turn NW on road
NO29978584 Distance
1.49 km
Altitude
415 m
2
From Allt-na-giubhsaich follow road W to Clais Rathadan
NO27368611 Distance
3.10 km
Altitude
690 m
3
Take path WSW turning W to col.
NO26008576 Distance
1.52 km
Altitude
880 m
4
Ascend N on Meikle Pap for stunning views.
NO26008605 Distance
0.39 km
Altitude
980 m
5
Return S to path
NO26008576 Distance
0.39 km
Altitude
880 m
6
Head SW around corrie rim
NO25468522 Distance
0.86 km
Altitude
1048 m
7
Continue NW around corrie.
NO24498569 Distance
1.41 km
Altitude
1135 m
8
Head NNW to Cac Carn Beag
NO24378612 Distance
0.43 km
Altitude
1155 m
9
Return SSE to junction
NO24498569 Distance
0.43 km
Altitude
1135 m
10
Follow path SW around corrie
NO23648494 Distance
1.27 km
Altitude
1048 m
11
Head W towards The Stuic
NO23028493 Distance
1.08 km
Altitude
1070 m
12
Bear SW to summit of Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach
NO22688456 Distance
0.50 km
Altitude
1110 m
13
Descend W to regain path then follow path WSW. Where path crosses stream and turns SSW ascend W to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor
NO20848427 Distance
2.05 km
Altitude
1047 m
14
Descend ESE by Allt an Dubh Loch to join path on north shore of Dubh Loch
NO23668299 Distance
3.15 km
Altitude
645 m
15
Continue ESE to Loch Muick
NO27648238 Distance
4.40 km
Altitude
404 m
16
Head NE north shore to boathouse at loch end
NO29498450 Distance
2.90 km
Altitude
410 m
17
Take path SE to connect with south shore path
NO30378411 Distance
1.05 km
Altitude
447 m
18
Follow path NE to carpark
NO31028511 Distance
1.24 km
Altitude
415 m

A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.

 Weather
Cairngorms * Monadhliath
by MWIS (PDF format)
East Highlands
by Met Office
Lochnagar
by Metcheck
Images of Cac Carn Beag, Carn a' Choire Bhoideach & Carn an t-Sagairt Mor
Route Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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

 Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

Rating & Reviews

 Rating & Reviews
Rated:
 from 10 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by Sc Joss on 03 Aug 2009:
Climbed from balmoral side, taking in Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn before Carn t'Sagairt Mor. this does involve doubling back but it is easy once you are up there and a lovely day of good views.
 
Written by David Harbottle on 03 Jun 2007:
I extended this to include the two munro's south of Loch Muick (Cairn Bannoch + Broad Cairn) - 2 more Munro's for very little additional effort. It's a fantastic outing.
 
Written by Scott Strathdee on 15 May 2007:
This is an enjoyable route apart from the trek down Dubh Loch its very boggy in parts look out for the aircraft wrekage all over the col between Carn an t- Sagairt Mor and Carn an t Sagairt Beag.
 
Written by Andy Phanco on 12 Jun 2006:
On a good day in summer, I would recommend bagging the other two Munros nearby - Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn to make a circuit of five. Descend from Broad Cairn down to Loch Muick on a good path. A route of about 19 miles which took me eight hours including stops. I avoided the ascent of Meikle Pap en route to the first summit of Lochnagar. This is a long walk, but with some great scenery.
 
Written by Scott Niven on 05 Jul 2005:
Fantastically varied hill, from the wide open glen and loch at the foot, the rocky ridge plateau and summit tor, and the winding waterfall. The section from Cac Carn Beag across the White Mounth can be boggy, and in my opinion this section of the walk is best done in frosty conditions when the going is hard underfoot. This can also make for peircingly clear views across to the Cairngorms without that haziness of summer. Watch out for deer on the south of Loch Muick, I walked right into the middle of a harem without noticing!
 
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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