Sgòr Gaoith and Braeriach from Loch Einich

Sgoran Dubh Mòr from the Am Beanaidh

On the south side of Aviemore, there is a roundabout, from where the road to Cairngorm Mountain begins. Around 3km down this road are the houses of Coylumbridge, just before which is the entrance to Rothiemurchus Campsite. There is a roadside layby to park in.

Metal bridge over the Am Beanaidh, Braeriach ahead

A bike is recommended for the 12km to Loch Eanaich (Loch Einich on older maps). The track is pretty good most the way and a hybrid-bike or gravel-bike should cope with the surface.

Cycle down the track, through the campsite towards Gleann Eanaich, following the signs. After around 3km, you'll come to a crossroads , to the left is the Cairngorm Club Footbridge and to the right is Loch an Eileen, both worthy of a detour. Keeping straight-on aims to Loch Einich.

A further 2km on, the track splits , either fork will do - the right fork aims uphill on a fine well maintained track and requires a bit of thigh effort, whereas the left fork keeps low but is more overgrown and looks as if it is no longer maintained by the estate. The tracks merge again, shortly after which a metal bridge over the Am Beanaidh is crossed (cyclists will need to dismount for this). Another 1km down and a burn heading down from Braeriach (the Beanaich Bheag) is met - in most conditions this should be easily crossed, but can mean wet feet !

Just before reaching Loch Eanaich, you'll meet up with the path coming down from Braeriach , probably best to leave bikes here.

Just below the summit of Sgòr Gaoith

Head up to Loch Eanaich, cross the outflow from the loch (very difficult in spate) then bound over the grass and heather covered damp ground towards Loch an t-Seilich . From here, I took a direct route up to Sgoran Dubh Mòr , which although very steep, was pretty straightforward with only a a couple of sections of easy scrambling. I'm sure there'll be an easier route starting slightly further north !

Sgoran Dubh Mòr is a domed summit, covered in grass from where a delightful walk southwards reaches Sgòr Gaoith's summit overlooking crags dropping to Loch Eanaich below.

Summit of Braeriach

Navigation beyond Sgòr Gaoith will be challenging, particularly in mist. The Moine Mòr path and a track coming from Mullach Clach a'Bhlair can help part of the way, but will also add in distance and tìme.

Leave Sgòr Gaoith and head on a bearing just west of south, handrailing the top of Coire Odhar. Reaching the slopes of Càrn Ban, begin to turn south-east and start to lose height. Ground is grassy and undulating with small lochans popping up here and there and no paths to follow. Loch nan Cnapan is an excellent spot for wild camping if backpacking this route over two days.

When starting to climb, aim north-east for 3km up onto Càrn na Criche with its small cairn (marked just with a spot height of 1265m on older OS maps).

North-east again, meet up with the crags above Garbh Coire and follow them towards the Wells of Dee - a wide grass covered area above the Falls of Dee. Terrain now becomes more boulder-covered, but some faint paths can be traced for the last 1km onto the summit of Braeriach . This is an exceptional location, the cairn perched above massive drops and cliffs overlooking the Làirig Ghru, giving spectacular views to Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul.

Descending Coire Dhondail to Loch Einich

You could re-trace your steps back to Càrn na Ciche, but for more variation and different views, I'd recommend aiming due west and heading for the cairn just over 1km away (on spot height 1235). Turn south-west and aim for Einich Cairn , then continue downhill, picking up the rim of Coire na Clach. Follow this down and pick up a well-defined path travelling down into Coire Dhondail. The path reaches the track just north of Loch Eanaich .

Another alternative is to head for the cairn (on spot height 1235), then head north-west and descend via a burn dropping to Gleann Eanaich around 1½km north of Loch Eanaich. Lower down it's on steep heather-clad ground and pathless.

Return to Coylumbridge on the track, mostly free-wheeling !