Munros above Glen Dee and Glen Geusachan
Hillwalking route up Monadh Mòr, Beinn Bhrotain and The Devil’s Point in the southern Cairngorms, rising above the dramatic Làirig Ghru.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Walk ascent | 1400m (4590ft) | |||
| distance | 27km (17m) | |||
| time | 9:00hr | |||
| Bike ascent | 25m (80ft) | |||
| distance | 10km (6m) | |||
| time | 1:00hr | |||
| Start/finish | Linn of Dee, Braemar Grid Ref : NN852976 | |||
| Terrain |
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| Nav |
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| Effort |
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| Scenery |
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West of the Làirig Ghrù and south of the imposing peaks of Cairn Toul and Sgòr an Lochain Uaine, high ground surrounds the wild glens of Dee and Geusachan. Here stand the Munros of Monadh Mòr, Beinn Bhrotain and The Devil's Point.
This hillwalking route links the three summits in a fine high-level circuit across the southern Cairngorms.
The most direct approach begins from Linn of Dee, a few miles west of Braemar, where a good estate track leads to White Bridge. A bike can make quick work of this section, after which constructed paths continue northwards through the wild glens to the foot of the mountains. Fainter paths then climb the slopes, and for those wishing to stay overnight, lonely Corrour Bothy sits below the dramatic slabs of The Devil's Point.
This hillwalking route links the three summits in a fine high-level circuit across the southern Cairngorms.
The most direct approach begins from Linn of Dee, a few miles west of Braemar, where a good estate track leads to White Bridge. A bike can make quick work of this section, after which constructed paths continue northwards through the wild glens to the foot of the mountains. Fainter paths then climb the slopes, and for those wishing to stay overnight, lonely Corrour Bothy sits below the dramatic slabs of The Devil's Point.
Route description
1. Getting to Linn of Dee

Beinn Bhrotain from White Bridge
From Braemar, the road west is followed along the main street, veering right at the Braemar Brewery and Patisserie. Continue on this unclassified road for 9km to reach the bridge at the Linn of Dee.
After crossing the bridge over the River Dee, a sharp right turn leads slightly uphill to a large, well signposted car park on the left.
A one-way system operates around the car park, which is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. A parking charge applies (£5 per day as of 2026).
After crossing the bridge over the River Dee, a sharp right turn leads slightly uphill to a large, well signposted car park on the left.
A one-way system operates around the car park, which is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. A parking charge applies (£5 per day as of 2026).
2. Beinn Bhrotain

Approaching Beinn Bhrotain from the south-east
Walk or cycle back to the bridge over the Linn of Dee, then continue westwards along a fine track following the north side of the River Dee for 4.5km to 'White Bridge'
. If you've cycled in, then best leave your bike here.
Head up the path tracing western bank of the Dee for around 3km to cross a burn
.
Immediately after crossing the burn, turn away from the constructed path onto a fainter one heading west-north-west climbing gently uphill. The path cuts a route through heather and climbs Càrn Clioch-mhuilinn
.
From Càrn Clioch-mhuilinn, descend north-west on a path to a flat expanse, then climb 300m over easy terrain to reach the large cairn on Beinn Bhrotain's summit
. This is a fine summit, from where fine views are given over the Devil's Point to Cairn Toul.
. If you've cycled in, then best leave your bike here. Head up the path tracing western bank of the Dee for around 3km to cross a burn
.
Immediately after crossing the burn, turn away from the constructed path onto a fainter one heading west-north-west climbing gently uphill. The path cuts a route through heather and climbs Càrn Clioch-mhuilinn
. From Càrn Clioch-mhuilinn, descend north-west on a path to a flat expanse, then climb 300m over easy terrain to reach the large cairn on Beinn Bhrotain's summit
. This is a fine summit, from where fine views are given over the Devil's Point to Cairn Toul.3. Monadh Mor

Monadh Mòr from Beinn Bhrotain
After the easy trudge up to Beinn Bhrotain, the pink boulders that have to be descended next come as a bit of a shock. Due to the size of these, the path is not obvious, so careful navigation aiming north-west is needed in mist.
Just above the 1000m contour, the boulders are left behind and a path continues to the sharp bealach
between Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mòr.
Initially steep up the other side of the bealach, the path zig-zags north-west uphill, then becomes pretty faint as the ground begins to flatten - carefully navigation in mist will again be required - don't be fooled by a couple of small cairns off left (west). There's a little pile of stones on the minor summit Leac Ghorm, but the main summit of Monadh Mòr
(650m further on) has an obvious, though rather small cairn.
Just above the 1000m contour, the boulders are left behind and a path continues to the sharp bealach
between Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mòr. Initially steep up the other side of the bealach, the path zig-zags north-west uphill, then becomes pretty faint as the ground begins to flatten - carefully navigation in mist will again be required - don't be fooled by a couple of small cairns off left (west). There's a little pile of stones on the minor summit Leac Ghorm, but the main summit of Monadh Mòr
(650m further on) has an obvious, though rather small cairn.4. Devil's Point

Monadh Mòr from the Devil's Point
From Monadh Mor, continue following the faint path in a northerly direction over grassy flat ground. The grass gives way to more bouldery ground as descending begins. The path disappears as Loch nan Stuirteag comes into view, aim for the ground to the east of this.
Maintaining height, contour around the top of Glen Geusachan, crossing a couple of burns
coming down from Cairn Toul - there should be occasional deer-trods to trace through heather. The ground levels, terrain becomes easier underfoot as progress is made to the beleach north-west of the Devil's Point. A well-defined path cuts a rough through boulderfield to the Devil's Point's summit
- a superb vantage point to view down Glen Dee to the southern Cairngorms and beyond.
Maintaining height, contour around the top of Glen Geusachan, crossing a couple of burns
coming down from Cairn Toul - there should be occasional deer-trods to trace through heather. The ground levels, terrain becomes easier underfoot as progress is made to the beleach north-west of the Devil's Point. A well-defined path cuts a rough through boulderfield to the Devil's Point's summit
- a superb vantage point to view down Glen Dee to the southern Cairngorms and beyond.5. Return to Linn of Dee

The Devil's point above Corrour Bothy
Return to the bealach below the Devil's Point, then pick up a path
that crosses a burn then zig-zags to descend to Corrour Bothy
.
Below the bothy, cross the River Dee via a delicate metal bridge
, then follow the path south-east.
Shortly after the bridge, there is a faint split in the path
.....
If you've cycled in to White Bridge, then take the right (west) fork on a path cutting through the grass and heather. The path initially can be a bit soggy, but further on it improves making a fine route back to White Bridge
.
Pick up your bike to cycle back to Linn of Dee.
If you've walked in, then at the junction an alternative is to take the higher path which travels around the base of Càrn a'Mhàim into Gleann Laoigh Bheag to Derry Lodge. From here an estate track heads south-east to the bridge over Lui Water and returns to the car-park.
that crosses a burn then zig-zags to descend to Corrour Bothy
. Below the bothy, cross the River Dee via a delicate metal bridge
, then follow the path south-east.
Shortly after the bridge, there is a faint split in the path
.....If you've cycled in to White Bridge, then take the right (west) fork on a path cutting through the grass and heather. The path initially can be a bit soggy, but further on it improves making a fine route back to White Bridge
.
Pick up your bike to cycle back to Linn of Dee. If you've walked in, then at the junction an alternative is to take the higher path which travels around the base of Càrn a'Mhàim into Gleann Laoigh Bheag to Derry Lodge. From here an estate track heads south-east to the bridge over Lui Water and returns to the car-park.
GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 36, 43
OS Explorer OL57
Harvey Mountain Map, Cairngorms and Lochnagar
Route profile
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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|
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Munros above Geldie Lodge | |
|
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|
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* Times shown are estimates – see timing notes on the disclaimer page for more information.






