Munros Tables SMC Cairngorms, Lochnagar, Mounth - SMC

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Cairngorms
The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland The Cairngorms


Photographs of the Lairig Ghru

through the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland

Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains

between 
Ben Macdui and Cairntoul

A route between Deeside and Strathspey

 - formerly a drove road

but now used primarily by walkers.



Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains

beneath Cairntoul




Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains between Devil's Point on Cairntoul and Ben Macdui

Lairig Ghru

through the Cairngorm Mountains

 between
Devil's Point on Cairntoul

and
Ben Macdui 





Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains between Devil's Point on Cairntoul and Ben Macdui

Lairig Ghru

through the Cairngorm Mountains

between
Devil's Point on Cairntoul

and
Ben Macdui 





Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains

 
from Carn a' Mhaim





Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains

from Carn a' Mhaim






Lairig Ghru

Lairig Ghru

 from Cairntoul





Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains







Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains





Lairig Ghru

Lairig Ghru




Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains




Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Lairig Ghru

through the Cairngorm Mountains






Map of Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Map of Lairig Ghru

through the Cairngorm Mountains






Map of Lairig Ghru through the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

Map of Lairig Ghru

 through the Cairngorm Mountains







Map of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland






Lairgi Ghru - Route Description:




Location: Rothiemurchus and the Lairig Ghru, Highland
Grade: Moderate lower-level walk
Distance: 10 miles/16km
Time: 5-6 hours

The great trough of the Lairig Ghru, the gloomy pass, cuts through the bulky massif of the Cairngorms, a cleft caused by glaciation with the swelling upthrusts of Beinn Macdui on one side and Braeriach on the other — Britain’s second and third highest hills respectively. The through walk from Coylumbridge near Aviemore to Braemar is nearly 30 miles in length and rises to a height of more than 2,500 feet, a bit long for a winter’s day so instead I wandered through the ancient forest of Rothiemurchus to a high point from where you can virtually gaze into the jaws of the Lairig itself. Rothiemurchus is the name of the parish that lies between the River Spey and the summits of the high Cairngorms. Because of the rich variety of the landforms contained in the estate the landscape passes from low-lying agricultural fields, through open heather moorland to the magnificent remnants of the ancient Forest of Caledonia. The route of the Lairig Ghru was used in times gone by as a drove road, one of the highest in the country, and today is one of the classic high-level passes in Scotland.
I left Coylumbridge in dazzling sunshine made even more spectacular by a hoar frost that had turned the trees white. I followed the path to the old Cairngorm Club footbridge over the Allt Druidh. The path crosses a large clearing in the woods with the V-shape of the Lairig away ahead, and continues beyond the river to a path junction known locally as Piccadilly!
From here my route lay upwards, climbing steadily past ancient pines, gnarled with time, trees which gradually become smaller and more stunted the higher you climb. Soon you’ll leave the pines behind you and reach another path leading of to the left. This is the high point of the route and from here you can enjoy the views into the jaws of the Lairig Ghru and behind you over Rothiemurchus towards the blue swell of the Monadhliath mountains. The path leads to the Joint Services Training Centre at Rothiemurchus Lodge, then follows a land rover track back down towards Glenmore. After a mile or so I desperately wanted to swop the commercial forest that had sprung up on either side for the natural beauty of the pine woods so I took another track that runs off to the left and followed its winding course through the Woods again to Piccadilly and the path back to Coylumbridge and home.




ROUTE PLANNER
 

Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 36 (Grantown & Aviemore), Harveys Mountain Map, The Cairngorms
Distance: About 10 miles/ 16km
Time: 5-6 hours
Start/Finish: Coylumbridge, on the B970 Aviemore to Glenmore road GR: NH917108)
Information: Aviemore TIC, 01479 810930




Route: Leave Coylumbridge and follow signposted path that runs alongside the campground. At fork, go L past a large
cairn, cross the clearing with dense juniper bushes on R before crossing a stream and heading back into woodland.
Further on go into a fairly dense conifer plantation. Cross Allt Druidh by the iron bridge, follow the path through another clearing
and soon you'll reach a point where paths go off in various directions. Take the path climbing S, past the signpost
which points to the Lairig Ghru and Braemar. Soon leave the pines behind and reach another path leading off L.
A signpost points to Rothiemurchus Lodge. Follow the path past the Lodge and follow a track back down towards
Glenmore. After about 1.5km a footpath leaves this track to the left and winds through the forest to meet up with your
outward route. Follow the path back to Coylumbridge.




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Travel & Guide Books & Maps:-  


Aviemore, Granton & Cairngorm Mountains OS Landranger Map

Lochnagar & Glenshee - Map Cairngorm - Map The Munros Map Western Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road Map Southern Scotland OS Road Map

Cairn Gorm & Ben Macdhui - OS Explorer Map Aviemore, Granton & Cairngorm Mountains OS Map Inverness, Loch Ness a Strathglass - OS Landranger Map Braemar, Tomintoul & Glen Avon - OS Explorer Map Kingussie & Monadhliath Mountains Landranger OS Map: Fort Augustus, Glen Albyn, Glen Roy



Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide The Cairngorms - Cicerone Guide Short Walks in the Cairngorms - Luath The Cairngorms NE Outcrops - SMC Highland Outcrops Cairngorms - Mountain Bike Guide

Cairngorms, Lochnagar, Mounth - SMC Walks in the Cairngorms The Cairngorms of Scotland Cairngorms Walks Winter Climbs in the CaingormsScottish Winter ClimbsThe Cairngorms Vol. 1 - SMC The Cairngorms Vol. 2 - SMC

The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland  Munros Tables SMC  The Munros - Scotland's Highest Mountains  Scotland - Lonely Planet  NW Highlands - SMC Guide  Exploring the Far NW of Scotland  Guide to Walks in NW Highlands

Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet Mountain: Exploring Britain's High Places  National 3 Peaks Walk Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide The Scottish Islands Bouldering in Scotland

Central Highlands: Six Long Distance Walks West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map 100 Hillwalks around Glasgow

Pathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen CoeGlencoe Rock & Ice Climbing The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Munros and Tops The Corbetts - SMC Munros & Corbetts Chart The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Munro Almanac

The Munros - Scotland's highest mountains Call of the Corbetts Magic of the Munros Hamish's Mountain WalkThe Munros in WinterMy Scotland by Hamish MacInnes

Scottish Mountains - 50 Classic Routes50 More Routes on Scottish Mountains The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Scotlands 100 Best Walks Scottish Mountains - 100 Best RoutesBig Walks of Great Britain Classic Walks in Britain & Ireland

Scottish Hill & Mountain Names Classic Mountain Scrambles in Scotland Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayMore Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks 2 - Video Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

Ski Touring in ScotlandScrambles in Lochaber Rock Climbing in Scotland Rock Climbing SkillsThe FACE: Six Great Climbing Adventures Ben Nevis: Rock & Ice ClimbsGreat Snow & Ice Climbs of the British Isles100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains One Man's Mountains - Tom Patey

A Mountaineer's Tale - W.H.MurrayDougal Haston: Philosophy of RiskThe Glens of Rannoch Southern Highlands - MapNorthern Highlands Central Highlands West Highlands Central Highlands SMCNW Highlands SMC

Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Highlands & Islands of Scotland - Hidden Places Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Rough Guide: Scotland Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandLonely Planet - Walking in Britain

50 Walks in the Scottish Highlands & Islands 100 Walks in ScotlandVisit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Hillwalker: The MunrosHillwalker: The Corbetts

Weather for Hillwakers & Climbers Mountain Weather Guide to the Weather Weather: Collins Gem Hillwalking Handbook for Mountain Leaders Hillwalkers Manual Hillwalkers Guide to Mountaineering First Aid on Mountains








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