Braeriach from Ski Road

Braeriach from Ski Road
Braeriach [NN953999, 1296]
OS map : 36
start : Sugar Bowl Car Park
gridref : NH985075
summary : Sugar Bowl car park - Chalamain Gap - Breariach - Chalamain Gap - Sugar Bowl car park
distance : 20.0km.
ascent : 960m.
time taken : 7hr. 40min.

View of Braeriach from other side of Lairig Ghru in spring.

©cairngormhills.co.uk

View of Braeriach from other side of Lairig Ghru in autumn.

©cairngormhills.co.uk

Braerich is one of the big hills in the UK. Despite it being a prominent landmark from the Spey Valley, it is a remote hill taking some significant effort to achieve an ascent. The "easiest" ascent is from the north using the skiing road to get some height gain.

The obvious car park on the left (as you ascend) the ski road just around a tight left hand bend at the top of the first steep section of the road. You have to pay to use this carpark.

From the car park take the footpath that crosses the Allt Creag an Leth-choin and follow the NW bank towards the Chalamain gap. The top part of the bealach is full of boulders. Once through the gap go directly down to the Larig Ghru, across the river and then up the W side to the site of the Sinclair Hut, now removed. The route continues from here around the E ridge of Coire Gorm and onto Sron na Lairige. Follow the wide ridge climbing all the time until it narrows and becomes rocky. Climb this narrower arete to the main Braeriach summit. This is marked with a large cairn fitting it's status as one of the big hills of Scotland. The cairn is on the edge of the Braeriach plateau, overlooking Coire Bhrochain cliffs. (10kms. 840m. 4hrs. 40min.)

Leave the summit easterly which is initially rocky. Continue onto the wide ridge to Sron na Lairige and down the E side of Coire Gorm. Cross the Lairg Ghru and ascend to the Chalamain Gap. Continue to the Ski road by following the path.(10kms. 120m. 3hrs. 10min.)