Braeriach from northern slopes of Ben Macdui

Braeriach

Munro in the Cairngorms and third highest mountain in UK

In the Cairngorms, west of the Lairig Ghru, Braeriach is UK's third highest mountain. Its summit rests above massive cliffs of Coire Bhrochain, where snow lies later than just about anywhere else in Scotland.


Braeriach


Height1296m
Prominence461m
Meaningbrindled upland
ListsMunro, 3
LocationWest of the Lairig Ghru, Cairngorms and North East Grampians
Grid RefNN953999
Lat/Lon57.07809, -3.72818


In the northern Cairngorms, Braeriach is a vast sprawling mountain, its huge summit plateau sitting above several coires and lochans. Being Scotland's and the UK's third highest mountain.

Seen from the north, Braeriach's three coires hold snow longer than the other Cairngorms, well into late spring and often into summer. Braeriach's summit rests above the massive cliffs of Coire Bhrochain, where snow lies later than just about anywhere else in Scotland.

Wreckage from two crashed from two WWII planes can still be found on eastern slopes of Braeriach.

Hillwalkers are spoilt for route choices up Braeriach, though most will head up from the north, with Rothiemurchus and Glenmore being the most popular start points. There is a network of fine tracks and paths lower down and even higher up on the north-east approaches. Beware the vast plateau west of Braeriach's summit is particularly hard to navigate in mist and cornices in winter can hide coire edges.



Routes up Braeriach


West of Lairig Ghru from Glenmore

West of the Lairig Ghru, huge cliffs rise to vast plateaux and some of the highest peaks in the land, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine. Fine paths lead in from Glenmore and Coylumbridge and with the lowest point on the ridges between the Munro summits being above 1100m, the views are quite superb, particularly from Braeriach.

Peaks : 3 Munros

Ascent : 1850m (6070ft)
Distance : 28km (17m)
Time : 10hr

Sgor Gaoith and Braeriach from Loch Einich

Between forested Glen Feshie and the famed Lairig Ghru is Loch Einich surrounding by high undulating ground with the impressive Munro summits of Braeriach and Sgor Gaoith situated at opposite sides. Possibly one of the best ways to do this route is to back-pack, camping by one of the little lochans on the Moine Mhor plain.

Peaks : 2 Munros

Ascent : 1680m (5510ft)
Distance : 42km (26m)
Time : 9hr

Cairngorm 4000s

The vast plateaux of the Cairngorms in Scotland's eastern highlands rise above huge cliffs and dark corries. On the plateaux are five of the UK's mountains over 4000ft including Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Cairngorm and these can be bagged in one circular route from Glenmore.

Peaks : 5 Munros

Ascent : 2250m (7380ft)
Distance : 28km (17m)
Time : 10:45hr



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