Sgòr Gaoith and minor tops
Hillwalking route on the long crest of Sgòr Gaoith and Sgòran Dubh Mòr, gentle from Glen Feshie but dramatic cliffs rise above Loch Einich.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Ascent | 1020m (3340ft) | |||
| Distance | 15km (9m) | |||
| Time | 5:30hr | |||
| Start/finish | Nr Balachroick, Glen Feshie Grid Ref : NN852013 | |||
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The approach for this route starts in Glen Feshie, blanketed in forestry plantations. The landscape formed by Sgòr Gaoith and its subsiduary tops rises from the glen and its forestry on gentle gradients, clad in Caledonian woodland lower down and heather higher up.
A fine network of estate tracks makes for fairly easy hiking on approaches, leading to paths climbing up to the higher ground. Hillwalking on Sgòr Gaoith and Sgoran Dubh Mòr is straightforward, predominantly on wide grassy covered crests, though in winter beware the cornices that can form above the crags overlooking Loch Einich.
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Route description
1. Getting to Glen Feshie
Sgoran Dubh Mòr and Sgòr Gaoith above Glen Feshie
South of Aviemore on the B970 and near Kincraig, the road crosses the River Feshie at Feshiebridge. On the north side of this bridge, there is a red telephone box, with a road sign pointing down to Auchlean. Head down this road for around 4km, passing the gliding club and just before reaching Glen Feshie Hostel.
Just north of where the road crosses the Allt Ruadh via a bridge, there is an opening on the left-hand side of the road (east side), with the start of a forestry track with plenty of parking.
2. Meall Buidhe
Sgoran Dubh Mor from Meall Buidhe
Leave the parking area behind and start up the forestry track through the forest. Out of the forest, the track splits, take the middle track heading uphill. The track continues uphill through woodlands for a further 2km and it splits just before meeting with a burn coming down from Coire na Cloiche 
.
Take the path on the right, cross the burn, then leave the path and head due east up heather-clad slopes (I like to de-tour north-east to bag Geal-charn
).
Now up onto the bouldery crest, head south-east to Meall Buidhe 
.
3. Sgòr Gaoith
Summit of Sgòr Gaoith
South-east of Meall Buidhe's cairn, the boulders are less as some height is dropped to a dip. Beyond this a grassy slope climbs towards the bealach between Sgoran Dubh Mòr and Sgòr Gaoith.
At the bealach, turning north, an easy stroll over more grass is all that awaits to attain Sgoran Dubh Mòr's domed summit 
with wonderful views.
About-turn, head south and a delightful walk over more grass reaches Sgòr Gaoith's summit 
overlooking crags dropping quite dramatically to Loch Einich below.
4. Return to Glen Feshie
Descending Sgòr Gaoith to Glen Feshie
From Sgòr Gaoith's summit, head south-west for around 500m, then begin to descend, gradually turning west. As height is lost, heather thickens, but you should be able to find an obvious and well-worn footpath through.
The path turns north-west to drop to the Allt a'Chrom-alltain 
, from where it is followed back to the burn coming down from Coire na Cloiche, from where re-trace your steps to Glen Feshie.
Route profile »
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Northern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
Alternative and nearby routes »
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Sgòr Gaoith and Braeriach from Loch Einich | |
|
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Leathad an Taobhain from Glen Feshie | |
|
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Càrn Dearg Mòr and Meallach Mhor | |
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