Cairn Gorm (Cairngorm)

Cairngorm, meaning ‘blue cairn’, lends its name to the Monadh Ruadh of the Eastern Highlands and in summer is one of the easiest Munros to climb.

Cairn Gorm (Cairngorm)

Height	1245m
Prominence	145m
Meaning	blue cairn
Lists	Munros (M6)
Location	Lairig Ghru to Lairig an Laoigh, Cairngorms and North East Grampians
Grid Ref	NJ005041
Lat/Lon	57.1167, -3.64339
Munro tops	Cairn Lochan (1214m) Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (1176m) Cnap Coire na Spreidhe (1152m) Creag an Leth-choin (Lurcher's Crag) (1053m)

When viewed from Aviemore or the A9 to the north, Cairngorm is a rounded dome at the eastern end of the vast Monadh Ruadh plateau, snow often showing the lines of the ski-runs in Coire Cas.

Outwith the skiing-season, Cairngorm is one of the easiest Munros to bag when approaching from Cairngorm Base Station to the north. However, this would do the mountain an injustice and finer routes head up 'Windy Ridge', follow the rim of the 'Northern Corries' and extend out to Ben Madui and other high mountains.

There are some fine and well maintained paths to follow and much of the higher ground is fairly flat and grass-covered, interspersed with boulderfields. The cliffs above Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain are quite spectacular and favourite playground of the winter climbing community. Beware, when visibility is reduced, navigation can be tricky !

Routes up Cairn Gorm

Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui
	Hillwalking route up Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm with an optional relatively easy scramble on Fiacaill Ridge in good summer conditions. Peaks : 2 Munros Ascent : 1000m (3280ft) Distance : 17km (11m) Time : 6hr*

Cairngorm 4000s
	Circular hillwalking route over the Cairngorm 4000ers from Glenmore, including Ben Macdui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgòr an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Gorm. Peaks : 5 Munros Ascent : 2250m (7380ft) Distance : 28km (17m) Time : 10:45hr*

Cairngorm Darkside from Coire Raibert
	Route up Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin from Cairn Gorm ski centre, visiting Loch Avon’s beaches and the famous Shelter Stone en route. Peaks : 4 Munros Ascent : 1730m (5680ft) Distance : 27km (17m) Time : 9:40hr*