There are few true wilderness areas in the UK and the Cairngorms is one of them. The area so much admired for the scenery in mid summer when the sunset is on the hills, is transformed into an arctic environment in mid winter. This is the contradiction of the Cairngorms; the most mild and magical place in the country one day, but inhospitable on another.

The Cairngorms are home to 4 out of the 5 highest hills in the UK. The reputation of this area as a place for serious winter hillwalking is well earned. The hiils are spectacular during the winter season that can last well into May in the high Cairngorm. But in summer it is a place for magical walks in the late summer sun and maybe even the odd night out under the stars. The area is characterised by high plateau giving pleasant walking over long distances with a sense of solitude and remoteness, especially if the walker keeps away from the high summits around the middle of the day.

This site contains routes up all of the Munros within the Cairngorm National Park. the national park was established in 2003 and was the second such park in Scotland. The hills can be climbed from a base in Aviemore or Braemar although some of the starting points can be a bit of a drive. Many of these routes are serious expeditions from either of these centres and a night or two wild camping may be in order to achieve some of the summits. Just make sure that you choose one with a good weather forecast.