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.

braemar and invercauld area weblinks 
See todays conditions in the area on the Cairngorm webcam
Get the local area weather forecast here
Braemar Local information at Braemar.com
Hillwalking gear at Braemar Mountain Supplies
NTS Mar Lodge Estate website is here 
Invercauld Estate website is here

main route outline    
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.

A track heads w uphill from the roadside, bike up this, join another track and head nw 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 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 (NO 118 979). 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.

From the Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe tor, return sw 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 w 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 (s) of the minor top ahead and stick in a wsw 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.

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 w 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 w, 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 is 5km away and feels it ! From Beinn a'Chaorainn's cairn, aim ses 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 s. This path continues up hill to end up between the two tops on Beinn Bhreac, then turns e over another minor rise to reach the cairn on the main summit.

Pathless heather covers the ground s 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 sws to a narrow gap, then climb lighty heather covered ground up Meall an Lundain. From this hill, turn wsw, 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.

Beinn a'Chaorainn and Bhreac from Derry Lodge
The usual way to the two west
munros in this group. A bike
is handy ! 

From the main car-park at Linn
of Dee, head up the path, then
track to Derry Lodge. Keep on
the e side of Derry Burn and
follow the re-done path for
6km to reach the burn coming
down from the Moine Bealaidh.
Cross the burn, which can be
problematic in spate, and head
uphill ne over heather to the flat area s of Beinn a'Chaorainn. Cross the ground, wet in patches and ascend Beinn a'Chaorainn. As described on the left, bag Beinn Bhreac and reach the narrow gap (NO 055 960). Pick up a path which crosses heather then down to the Glen Derry path (at NO 045 950). Return to Derry Lodge and Linn of Dee. 

Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird from Invercauld
A popular route to the easterly
munros in this group.

On the A93, east of Braemar
Castle, on the east side of
Bridge of Dee, there is a road
heading north. Park in the
trees and head through the
gate. Follow the track past
Invercauld House up Glean
an t-Slugain. You could
choose to bag the Corbett
Carn an Drochaide on the
way. It is possible to cycle to the burn at the foot of Carn Eas, however it is probably better to leave your bike 2km s of this for ease of return. Follow the route up to Ben Avon and over to Beinn a'Bhuird's North Top as described on the left. From the North Top head s and follow the cliffs around Coire na Clach and Dubh Lochan and ascend A'Chioch. The South Top is 800m sws, from where aim 400m ne to turn e and come down via Carn Fiaclach. Head down to cross the river, pick up your bike and return to Bridge of Dee.