Meall a' Bhuachaille from Glenmore

On the south side of Aviemore, there is a roundabout, from where the road towards Cairngorm Mountain begins. It's a journey of around 10km passing lovely Loch Morlich on the way. After entering Glenmore, pass the Visitor Centre, then turn left and drive the 1km to the end of the road and try and park on the roadside just beyond the entrance to Glenmore Lodge.

This area can be a tad congested, so if parking is not possible, return towards the main road by Glenmore Visitor Centre, then turn left and there is a parking area by the bridge over the Allt Bàn (daily charge of £5, 2026).

From the end of the public road, head around a barrier, then folllow a fine forestry track heading initially east. After around 2km, you'll come to An Lochan Uaine , the 'green lochan', it's worth stopping here to take in the atmosphere. No one quite knows why the loch is quite so green and there are legends surrounding this strange but beautiful place.

A further 500m on from the lochan, the track comes to a junction to the right leads to Bynack More, Creag Mhòr and Loch Avon in the heart of the Cairngorms. To aim to Meall a' Bhuachaille, turn left and head along a now rough, but improving, track. Around 500m further on from the junction, Ryvoan Bothy is met in lovely surroundings.

Behind Ryvoan bothy a path leads westwards through heather and uphill. Well constructed at first, the path climbs fairly gently for around 150m before turning north-west and steepens.

Higher up, gradually the constructed path gives way to a boot-eroded path which turns westards again, then south-west for the final approach to Meall a' Bhuachaille's summit .

There's a large cairn to shelter out of winds and the vistas from here are stunning and vast, giving probably one of the finest views to Cairngorm.

From Meall a' Bhuachaille's summit, aim north-west and follow a path downhill. Although the path was well-constructed and improved in recent years, natural and boot erosion have taken their toll.

The path twists and turns and comes to a junction just above the bealach between Meall a' Bhuachaille and Creagan Gorm. Turn left and follow the path with Loch Morlich directly ahead and below. The path comes into a forest and as it does, widens to a track .

Lower down and through forestry, the track comes to a junction - keep straight on, pass a couple of houses and you should end up by the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre with the Glenmore Visitor Centre and café close by.

Head around the reindeer centre, and pick up a pedestrian path above the roadside. This returns to the end of the public road by Glenmore Lodge.