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munros
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Ben Avon (1171m, Munro 17)
Beinn a'Bhuird (1197m, Munro 11)
Beinn a'Chaorainn (1083m, Munro 58)
Beinn Bhreac (931m, Munro 249)
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corbetts
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Carn na Drochaide (818m)
Carn Liath (862m)
Culardoch (900m)
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ascent
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1740m (5,700ft)
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distance
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35km (22m)
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time
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running : 6:30hr, biking/walking : 10:10hr*
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent, 10km/h on bike
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profile
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location
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start/finish
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Linn of Quioch (grid ref : NO174911)
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maps/guides
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This area is covered by 2 OS Landranger 1:50000 and 2 OS Explorer 1:25000 maps :
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GPX data
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download a GPX file of the main route
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| terrain |
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easy |
| difficult |
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| navigation |
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easy |
| testing |
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| effort |
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stroll |
| long day |
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| scenery |
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ok |
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images
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view photos of the route and hills
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main route summary
The route to these munros is through a Scots Pine forest full of wildlife - from grouse and deer to snakes and ant colonies. Higher up the ptarmigan and hare entertain. The unusual summit volcanic tors on Ben Avon will have you wandering all over the place to investigate. Beinn a'Bhuird also has some tors on its ne ridge Stob an t-Sluichd, but it is the cliffs surrounding Coire nan Clach and Coire na Ciche that interest. Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac appear a bit dull in comparison to their higher neighbours.
main route outline
Getting there
From Braemar, take the road to the Linn of Dee, then continue to the road end at Linn of Quioch. As the NTS is discouraging cars from crossing the wooden bridge at Linn of Quioch, park just before the bridge.
Ben Avon
A track heads west uphill from the roadside, bike up this, join another track and head north-west through beautiful Glen Quioch forest for 6km. Leave bikes where the track fords Quioch Water. Cross the river - to avoid getting wet feet there are some handy boulders slightly upstream to bounce across on. The track on the other side of the river splits, take the right fork and follow it for just over 1km where it ends abruptly at the river's edge. Pick up a path following the river bank. Most of this path has seen some recent improvement work, though at time of writing (2008) some sections still require some work. There are a couple of large ant hills on the path where work has still to be carried out. After around 2km and out of the forest, the path heads down to cross Quioch water (difficult in spate). On the other side, the path connects with that coming from Invercauld and turns north.
Recently improved, this path continues around Carn Eas and up to the bealach between Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird, however continue on it only as far as the burn at the base of Carn Eas (NO118979). Cross the burn, then head north directly uphill over heather and occasional wet patches. It's a continuous slog up nearly 400m before the ascent eases, a small cairn is reached and Ben Avon's tor, Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe, comes into view. The tor looks close, but it's still 3km away ! Continue over pathless but flat, grassy ground, aiming directly for the tor. Once the tor is reached, go through the gap and ascend it via an easy scramble on the other side. The views are good in most directions, but most interesting is the picking out of the other tors and tops on Ben Avon's complex plateau and ridges.
Beinn a'Bhuird
From the Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe tor, return south-west over a minor top to pick up a path heading down around the edge of the corrie to the bealach between Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird. Some interesting weathered rocks at the col. Follow the path heading west up some scree. The ground levels, becomes grass covered and then it's not too obvious as to what direction to aim. Keep to the left (south) of the minor top ahead and stick in a west-south-west direction. Beinn a'Bhuird's North Top comes into view, cross a small burn and continue over pathless grassy ground to the small cairn on the summit. Due to the large flat area here, you'll have to walk a few yards from the cairn to get the best views.
Beinn a'Chaorainn
From the North Top, it's actually quite difficult to pick out Beinn a'Chaorainn from the view, as Beinn Mheadhoin, Cairngorm and Bynack Mor all tower above this apparently insignificant munro. Aim due west from the cairn for 1km over heather and down occasional short steep bouldery sections. The ground flattens and an indistinct path is picked up. Continuing west, pass the lochans, cross a burn and aim directly over heather then boulders up Beinn a'Chaorainn. If you fancy a slight de-tour then Beinn a'Chaorainn Beag and its lochans are worth a visit. There's a large cairn on Beinn a'Chaorainn's summit. Fine views are had to the surrounding higher peaks.
Beinn Bhreac
Beinn Bhreac is 5km away and feels it ! From Beinn a'Chaorainn's cairn, aim south-east-south and descend to the flat Moine Bhealaidh. The terrain can be rough underfoot, but you should be able to find a faint path to follow south. This path continues up hill to end up between the two tops on Beinn Bhreac, then turns east over another minor rise to reach the cairn on the main summit.
Return
Pathless heather covers the ground south of Beinn Bhreac, therefore there are a few route choices. Rather than aiming directly to Glen Quioch, I've found the route over Meall an Lundain more enjoyable and easier. So from Beinn Bhreac, aim south-west-south to a narrow gap, then climb lighty heather covered ground up Meall an Lundain. From this hill, turn west-south-west, downhill, then follow the edge of the planted forest down to Quioch Water. Pick up your bike and enjoy the cycle back to Linn of Quioch.
