Description

Park in the Hayfields carpark at the ski road snow barrier on the edge of Glenmore.

Follow the footpath and road up to the ski-station if taking on the route in a clockwise direction.

Pick up the Fiacaill Ridge and continue up to summit one, Cairn Gorm.

Drop off Cairn Gorm before skinning in a south-westerly direction to Ben Macdui (summit 2). The descent from Ben Macdui into the Lairg Ghru is the best of the day so savour it! This route follows the line which holds the best snow later in the year.

Once in the Lairg Ghru follow the valley south towards the imposing Devil’s Point.

There is a bridge to cross the River Dee near to Corrour Bothy, an option for an overnight stay if splitting the tour in two (it’s at approximately 18km into the round).

Keep the Devil’s Point on your left as you skin up towards the saddle.

From here follow the ridge north first coming to Cairn Toul (summit 3), then Sgòr an Lochain Uaine (Angel’s Peak) (summit 4) and finally Braeriach (summit 5) (there are some spicy lines dropping back into the Lairg Ghru if time is on your side!). There is a short descent from Braeriach before back to skinning to Sron na Lairige and back down to the Lairg Ghru and your exit route through the Chalamain Gap.

This final climb out of the Lairg Ghru can be a real kick in the teeth after a long day so make sure you have enough in the tank for the final push.

Follow the route of the walker’s path back to the bridge and onto the singletrack that follows Cairngorm road back to the carpark. This gpx follows the best lines for when snow cover is limited, it could be done much more efficiency at times of substantial snowfall.