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Walking the Big Hills of the Cairngorms

Beinn Mheadhoin via Cairngorm

Beinn Mheadhoin is the middle hill of the cairngorms. It is difficult to achieve this hill, as it in the centre of the main hills and access is over or passed another hill. This route climbs Cairngorm first then onto Beinn Mhedhoin.

The main skiers car park in Coire Cas at the end of the road is un-missible and always busy with skiers, walkers, climbers and funicular passengers depending on the time of year. On a busy ski day it pays to get there early, otherwise there is ample parking.

There are many routes from Coire Cas to the summit of Cairngorm. All of them go through the ski development. In winter it is good manners to keep to the side of the piste alongside the snow fences thus avoiding the skiers and safer for all. From the car park follow the road just past the Day Lodge and cross under the railway. A path now ascends the steep slopes NE to the ridge of Sron an Aonach, Windy Ridge. Follow this steep ascent to reach the ridge. Follow the crest of the ridge to the Ptarmigan restaurant. There is a marked path straight to the summit but it is better to contour east, following a good path in summer and a ski run in winter, to the high point of the ski development and then climb up Marquis Well to reach the summit. Cairngorm summit is unmistakable with a large cairn marking the true summit and the automatic weather station nearby. (3kms. 640m. 2hrs. 10min.)

From the summit of Cairngorm walk south west steeply down into Coire Raibert. Follow the path south easily at first but much steeper later to the banks of Loch Avon. Turn right and walk around the head of Loch Avon across the Feith Burn (may be difficult to cross). Follow the path past the Shelter Stone to the outfall of Loch Etchachan. Climb Beinn Mheadhoin steeply for 0.5km until the angle eases. Walk up easier angled slopes to the summit and onto the summit tor. The granite barns, or tors, on the summit ridge make this a distinct hill. True top is the most north easterly of these large tors. (5kms. 490m. 2hrs. 30min.)

From the summit walk north east along the line of the ridge towards Creag Dhubh. Keep these cliffs to the left when descending to the outfall of Loch Avon. Cross this stream (this can be very difficult in wet conditions) and climb E to the Saddle. The route climbs the steep cliffs into Ciste Mheard. The upper slopes ease in angle. At the top of Ciste Mheard, the walker is now on the edge of the ski area. Assuming that it is not the skiing season walk down the well marked road to the car park. Otherwise it is best to avoid Coire Cas and walk along Sron an Aonach turning W down to the car park. (6kms. 550m. 2hrs. 50min.)

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