Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn

Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn
Beinn Bhreac [NO058971, 931]
Beinn Chaorainn [NJ045013, 1082]
OS map : 36 & 43
start : Linn of Dee
gridref : NO065897
summary : Linn of Dee - Derry Lodge - Beinn Bhreac - Beinn a'Chaorainn - Derry Lodge - Linn of Dee
distance : 28.0km.
ascent : 830m.
time taken : 9hr. 40min.

Cairngorm Hills

©cairngormhills.co.uk

These hills are right in the centre of the main Cairngorm plateau and hence difficult to get to. There are many ways to climb these hills, either individually or together. Perhaps the best is to ascend from the south. Another possibility is to 'bag' these hills as part of a major multi-day cairngorm backpack!

There is a large car park at the Linn of Dee that gives easy access to the Cairngorms from the south. Often busy especially in the good weather. Sitiuated at the Linn of Dee on the minor road west of Braemar.

From the car park walk or cycle up the track to Derry lodge where the cycles should be left. Walk a further 1.5km. up Glen Derry on the E side of the river, then turn off the track north east through scrub towards the bealach between Meall an Lundain and Beinn Bhreac. Continue over the rough ground to the summit. Beinn Bhreac's summit is the east of the two tops. A cairn is set in the middle of a flat summit. (9kms. 570m. 3hrs. 50min.)

Leave the summit north west to Craig Derry and then turn north east for 2km. following a line along the flat wet and peatly bealach between the two hills. The best (driest) route is to keep to the highest ground wherever possible. Continue north up the steeper slopes of Beinn a Chaorainn on easier ground. The summit cairn is set on the south west side of the flat summit area. (5kms. 260m. 2hrs. 0min.)

Leave the summit south west and make towards the summit of the Lairig an Laoigh turning steeply W for the final 0.5km. Follow this path south to Derry Lodge and then back to the road.(14kms. 0m. 4hrs. 10min.)