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munros
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Creag Leacach (987m, Munro 159)
Glas Maol (1068m, Munro 69)
Cairn of Claise (1064m, Munro 71)
Tom Buidhe (957m, Munro 204)
Tolmount (958m, Munro 202)
Carn an Tuirc (1019m, Munro 113)
Carn Aosda (917m, Munro 278)
Carn a'Gheoidh (975m, Munro 180)
The Cairnwell (933m, Munro 245)
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ascent
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1690m (5,550ft)
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distance
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30km (19m)
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time
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running : 4hr, walking : 10:15hr*
*Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
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start/finish
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Highest point on A93 (grid ref : NO141775)
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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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| 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 |
| stunning |
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main route summary
The easiest way to go multi-munro-bagging ! For the most part, this route follows good tracks and paths, however the areas around Tolmount and Tom Buidhe are featureless and pathless and require careful navigation in mist. With just 1,690m of ascent over a distance of 30km, the climbs are generally gentle and over grassy ground. In winter, the mountain-hares on Creag Leacach abound, darting with ease over the crisp snow. Winter also hides the ugly scars that have been created by the ski-tows.
main route outline
Getting there
Glenshee Ski Centre is just below the col on the highest point on the A93 south of Braemar. Unless skiing conditions are tolerable, there are no parking problems !
Creag Leacach
Park at highest point on the A93, just south of Glenshee ski centre. From the track that starts by the mast, aim north-east uphill for ˝km, then turn south east, still following the track. Continue up to Meall Odhar (ski-tow and cairn mark summit). Pick up a path on right just before pull up Glas Maol Path turns south and contours Glas Maol then pick up fence posts. Over grassy ground, follow posts south, watch out to avoid tripping over wires. Fence posts join a wall with a shelter at sharp turn in wall. Ground gets bouldery, follow the wall to Creag Leacach, over one bump on way - good views south from the summit cairn.
Glas Maol
Return along wall to fence posts, then continue following the posts most of way up Glas Maol. Turn east just before the hill flattens, then follow another line of posts to the large summit cairn around the trig point. Suprisingly not great views from here, due to the bulk of the summit !
Cairn of Claise
Aim north over grassy ground to pick up a track coming from the west. Stick totrack for over 2km to just under Cairn of Claise's summit boulders. A large, well-constructed symetrical cairn rises from the wall that crosses the hill.
Tom Buidhe
Follow the wall to its end, then bear due east over grassy ground. A faint path with occasional iron posts can be picked up and followed - not the easiest ground to navigate in mist ! The last km up Tom Buidhe's grassy slope is reached via a faint path. Only a small pile of stones mark the summit - not any shelter here !
Tolmount
Return for around ˝km, then take another path north-west, turning north-north-east. Pick up some iron posts to follow to the summit of Tolmount. Some boulders on this top have encouraged a larger cairn to be thrown together than that on Tom Buidhe. Amazing how close Lochnagar is from here.
Carn an Tuirc
Return south-east-south for ˝km following the fence-posts and path, turn right (west), continuing on the faint path to the lowest point. The path disappears ! Head north-west over grassy and sometimes wet ground. Climbing initially, then contouring before descending to the bealach between Cairn of Claise and Carn an Tuirc. A path is picked up, follow this, taking the lower one at the split. The path continues over easy ground to a large flat summit area, where the terrain gets more difficult. Continue over boulders and stones to the cairn of Carn an Tuirc.
Carn Aosda
Leave the cairn heading west-north-west to find a path that picks its way through the scree then the heather downhill. As the path flattens, the going gets wetter until the burn is reached. Crossing this can be slightly difficult in spate. From here, a good path winds its way following the burn back to the old bridge below the A93. Cross the road and strike directly uphill through fairly thick heather (and no path) to reach the northern arm of Carn Aosda. When the ground levels out, the heather disappears and the terrain eases, the bouldery summit is not much further !
Carn a'Gheoidh
From Carn Aosda's summit, follow the wide track around the top of the ski-tows and down the bealach. At the bealach, don't continue on the track, look for a faint path on the right. This crosses wet ground to the col between the Cairnwell and Carn nan Sac. A good path is picked up and followed south-west to the lochan. Turn around the south edge of the lochan, following a fainter path aiming directly towards Carn a'Gheoidh. The path continues to the large cairn on summit over easy ground with only one short steep section
The Cairnwell
Return to the bealach before the Cairnwell and look for a scarred path on the right scratching its way through the heather and rubble. Pick up a track which continues past the top of the chair lift and to the huts and masts on Cairnwell's summit. Although untidy, Cairnwell's summit is a fine viewpoint in all directions.
Return
From the summit strike directly downhill over steep and heathery ground back to the car-park.
