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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)
* see alternative routes below
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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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biking/walking : 10hr*, biking/running : 5:30hr,
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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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 volcanic tors on Ben Avon will have you wandering all over the place to investigate, the summit tor requires an easy scramble.
Beinn a'Bhuird also has some tors on its north-east ridge Stob an t-Sluichd, but it is the cliffs surrounding Coire nan Clach and Coire na Ciche that interest.
Its summit is the 'North Top' on a vast plateau and to find the small cairn resting there requires navigation skills in mist.
Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac appear a bit dull in comparison to their higher neighbours, picking them out from Beinn a'Bhuird or Ben Avon is not immediately obvious.
Progress across the rough undulating moorland running between the summits of Beinn a'Chaorainn and Beinn Bhreac can be quite tiresome.
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
From Braemar, take the road to the Linn of Dee, then continue to the road end at Linn of quoich. As the NTS is discouraging cars from crossing the wooden bridge at Linn of quoich, 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 Quoich forest for 6km. Leave bikes where the track fords Quoich 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. This path has seen some recent improvement work making for rapid and enjoyable progress. Look carefully as you walk by and you'll find large ant hills, some aside the path's edge. After around 2km and out of the forest, the path heads down to cross Quoich 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. If in fine waether however, continue on it only as far as the burn at the base of Carn Eas (NO118979), then after crossing the burn, head north directly uphill over heather and occasional wet patches and the views begin to open up. It is a continuous slog up nearly 400m before the ascent eases, a small cairn is reached and Ben Avon's summit 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 - try picking out 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 Beinn a'Bhuird's summit cairn for 1km over heather and down occasional short steep bouldery sections. The ground flattens and an indistinct path can be 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 Quoich, 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 quoich Water. Pick up your bike and enjoy the cycle back to Linn of Quoich.
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The route in via Glen quoich
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Crossing Quoich water the easy way, Beinn a'Bhuird beyond right
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Mountain hare on the way up Carn Eas
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Male Ptarmigan starting to lose winter plumage on Carn Eas
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Frozen footprints on Ben Avon, looking to Glenshee & Beinn a'Ghlo
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The main tor on Ben Avon - my last munro on the 4th round
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Summer lunch on the summit of Ben Avon
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Cassie on the Ben Avon's summit tor
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Let's bike it to the top of Beinn a'Bhuird
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One man and his dog braving a night on Beinn a'Bhuird
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Beinn a'Bhuird's corries and spring cornices
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Beinn Bhreac from Glen Quoich
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A track leads in from the south-east, from which a short detour allows Carn an Drochaide to be bagged on the way to Ben Avon.
A pleasant cycle and walk into Derry Lodge leads to a fairly dreary walk up these quiet hills.
It is possible to bike it nearly all the way up these Corbetts, then bag some tops by foot
Ben Avon, Beinn a'Bhuird and Carn an Drochaide from Invercauld
Ascent : 1500m, distance : 37km
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, marked "Kelloch". A few metres up this road there is a recently cleared car-park with notice boards and toilet. It will cost you £2.50 to park here, but Invercauld Estate does some wonderful work. 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's grass and heather covered and pleasant to traverse. It is possible to cycle to the burn at the foot of Carn Eas, however it is probably better to leave your bike 2km south 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 south 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 north-east to turn east and come down via Carn Fiaclach. Head down to cross the river, pick up your bike and return to Bridge of Dee.
Beinn a'Chaorainn and Bhreac from Derry Lodge
Ascent 1000m, distance : 29km
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 east 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 north-east over heather to the flat area south 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 (NO055960). Pick up a path which crosses heather then down to the Glen Derry path (at NO045950). Return to Derry Lodge and Linn of Dee.
Carn Liath, Culardoch and more tops from Invercauld
Ascent 1940m, distance : 42.5km
Take in the corbetts Carn Liath and Culardoch on the way to Ben Avon, then go bagging some interesting tops and tors.
Start from Invercauld Bridge as described in the "Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhuird from Invercauld" route described above. Cycle for around 1.5km, then at a junction, head north. Bike it all the way to the bealach between Carn Liath and Culardoch. Leaving your bike behind, the two corbetts are easily reached by paths. Carn Liath to the west has two tops at 862m, the eastern one is considered the summit. Culardoch is to the east after 1km up a track heading north-east.
Return to the bealach, then down a path following the Allt na Claise Moire to the River Gairn. Cross it via the bridge, then head north-west directly uphill to bag Ben Avon and its tops and tors. Return up to the bealach and free-wheel most of the way back.
North-east
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Lecht Corbetts
Heather clad gentle slopes above the Lecht Ski Centre lead to two quiet Corbetts (coming soon)
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South-east
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Lochnagar and above Loch Muick
5 Munros, including famed Lochnagar with its winter climbing crags, form a high-level circuit above Loch Muick
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South-west
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Glen Ey
A cycle down to Altanour Lodge ruin from where a fine munro-bagging circuit begins
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West
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The Cairngorms and Ben Macdui
Vast plateaus with Artic tundra, hidden lochans, long narrow crests, dark corries and weird granite tors
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North-west
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Meall a'Bhuachaille
Standing alone, this Corbett gives stunning views of the surround Cairngorms (coming soon)
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