main route summary 
These 6 munros on the high plateau west of the Lairig Ghru can easily be bagged in a day. Come in by bike from Linn of Dee on a fine track to White Bridge, from where good paths head in. On such a vast plateau, good navigation skills are needed, particularly north of Monadh Mor and on Braeriach.  The terrain changes dramatically, heather clad hillsides, give way to grass, boulder-fields, lochans, cliffs, ridges and waterfalls. Being so high, the views are quite superb, particularly from Braeriach.

feshie and dee 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
Rothiemurchus website is here
The Lairig Ghru Race is on the Deeside Runners website here

main route outline   
From Braemar, drive w to the bridge over the Linn of Dee and the car-park just beyond. It's £2 to park here - the environmentally friendly toilets are an experience ! Cycle back to the Linn of Dee, then along a fine track for 4.5km to White Bridge. The NTS in their wisdom have decided to improve the path on the eastern side of the Dee, yet remove the track on the western side and replace it with an un-cyclable path. Why ? Leave your bike at the bridge, then head up the western side of the Dee for 3km to cross a burn. From here the track used to continue n, however the NTS have removed it completely. Previously I would have continued on a bike for a further 3km, then headed due w to the summit of Beinn Bhrotain. Now however its more enjoyable to cross the burn and head wnw on a soggy path in the direction of Carn Clioch-mhuilinn. The path gradually improves as it cuts through the heather. From this top, descend nw on a path to a flat wet area, then climb 300m over easy ground to reach the large cairn on Beinn Bhrotain's summit. This is a fine summit, but is eclipsed by the grander peaks immediately north, however they're not far away.

After the easy trudge up to Beinn Bhrotain, the pink boulders that have to be descended over come as a bit of a shock. Due to the size of these, the path is not obvious, so careful navigation is needed in mist. Just above the 1000m contour, the boulders are left behind and the path continues to the sharp bealach. Initially steep up the other side of the col, the path continues nw uphill, then becomes pretty faint as the ground flattens - carefully navigation in mist will again be required - don't be fooled by a couple of small cairns off left (w). There's a small pile of stones on the minor summit, but the main summit of Monadh Mor (650m further on) has an obvious, though rather small cairn. Not a great hill, however the best is next !

From Monadh Mor, head nwn over grassy flat ground, then boulders as the descent steepens. As you're descending, start to turn nen to aim for the 899 marked on the OS map. A couple of small burns are crossed at the watershed, then it's a long trudge up an ascent of 350m on easy grass covered hillside to reach the bouldery plateau of Carn na Criche (1265 on OS map). Further on, the river heading out from the Wells of Dee needs crossed - this can be quite tricky. Also look out for a herd of 30 or so reindeer ! After crossing the river, the ground gets more boulder covered, though this indicates Braeriach's summit is not much further. The top is a spectacular place with a great view. The cliffs are dramatic, with snow that is said to linger all year round (though I doubt it in our current climate).

After you've taken in the views, return over the Wells of Dee to Carn na Criche, then follow the edge of the corrie down s, then se, then e to the bealach before Sgor an Lochain Uaine (The Angel's Peak). A path is followed on the easier ground, otherwise you've got to pick your way carefully over boulders. This munro was only promoted from top status in 1997, however, due to the ascent, the descent and the views it's well worthy of munro status. Descend 120m se over boulders to the col before Cairn Toul. More boulders and 150m of ascent to the cairn on the summit. Stunning views to Braeriach and Ben MacDui. There is another cairn 200m south - take your pick which is the summit (I prefer the northern one).

Yet more boulders to descend sw from the southern cairn to reach the gentle rise up to Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir. Just after the small cairn on this top, look for a faint path heading se, don't stick to the crest around Coire an t-Saighdeir. The path becomes more obvious as it crosses grass downhill. The Devil's Point looks tiny below, however once the wet bealach is crossed, there's a fair haul up a path and some boulders to reach its summit cairn. Quite a view south over the snaking Dee to the Glenshee hills and Lochnagar.

Return to the bealach, then descend on a recently improved path to Corrour Bothy. Cross the Dee via a delicate metal bridge, then follow the path s. The path splits, take the right (w) fork. Recent path work has dramatically improved what was a wet peaty route back to White Bridge. Pick up your bike to cycle back to Linn of Dee.

alternative 2 : via lairig ghru  
This route misses out Monadh
Mor and Beinn Bhrotain as
these would require an awkward
de-tour, however it's a fine
journey taking in the Lairig Ghru
and without the need for a
mountain-bike.

3km beyond Loch Morlich, there
is a car-park at the first sharp
bend on the road to Cairngorm
Ski Centre. Park here, cross the
road and head downhill on a
good path to cross the river via a bridge. Uphill, past a fenced area with hut, then follow the well maintained path on level ground for 3km to a narrow gap, where care is needed underfoot. Continue following the path down into the Lairig Ghru, cross the burn and head up a path onto the n arm of Sron na Lairige. The path doesn't stick to the summit of this bouldery top at 1184m, but heads around the eastern side - it would be a shame to miss the top ! Continue on the path sws to a bealach, then up to the crest of Braeriach's e arm around Coire Bhrochain. Follow the coire to the summit - care is needed in mist as cliffs seem to appear from nowhere.

Follow the main route described on the left over the Wells of Dee, to Sgor an Lochain Uaine, Cairn Toul, the Devil's point and down to Corrour Bothy. Once over the bridge, turn left on the path and head n for 9km through the Lairig Ghru, to cross the burn again and turn back to the car-park. 

alternative 1 : braeriach and feshie hills 
Just before Rothiemurchus
campsite, there is a lay-by and
the start of a track into Glen
Einich. Cycle up this fine track
for 12km to Loch Einich. Cross
the river. In summer it is possible
to scramble directly up Sgoran
Dubh Mor, alternatively from the
loch, head north and ascend
Sgoran Dubh Mor via it's n arm
over Sgoran Dubh Beag. Reach
Sgor Gaoith with it's small
summit pearched above the coire.

Aim sws to the cairn on Carn Ban Mor (which used to be a munro), cross the Moire Mor path and continue s for 3km until a track is reached. Follow this track to within 200m of Mullach Clach a'Bhlair's summit and it's small cairn.

Return along the track to where it was met, then follow the remainder of the track ne, then e until it turns to descend s. Head for Loch nan Cnapan, a fine camping stop. If you're top bagging, then the insignificant Tom Dubh is 1km ses from the Lochan. From the lochan head ne for 3km up to Carn na Criche (marked 1265 on OS map) and proceed to Braeriach via the Wells of Dee.

Leave wsw and head over the plateau towards Einich Cairn. S, then follow the rim of Coire nan Clach down to 1050m, cross the burn and pick up a good path to head down Coire Dhondail to Loch Einich. Have a break at the loch to take in what you've just been up, then cycle back up Glen Einich.