CORVID-19 is still with us even though most restrictions have been relaxed in Scotland. The risks of infection are lower if outside, there is still a risk if mixing in large groups. Even so, please do not go out in the Cairngorms, or anywhere else, if you are showing signs of Corvid-19 and when out walking make sure you give people space - 1m at least and preferable 2m. Remember that if it feels too crowded then you can walk away and try somewhere else, the hills will still be there tomorrow. Also remember the MRT. They will come out to rescue you but they should not have to put themselves into danger from this virus.

A number of these routes start and finish at the main Cairngorm car park. Currently there is significant building work being undertaken in repairing the funicular. The site is fenced off to keep people out but there are routes across the work for walkers. Please keep out of this dangerous building site and follow the contractor's instructions.

Monadliath 3

Monadliath 3
Carn Dearg [NH636024, 945]
A Chailleach [NH680042, 930]
Cairn Sgulain [NH684058, 920]
OS map : 35
start : End of Minor road - Newtonmore
gridref : NN693997
summary : End of minor road Newtonmore - A 'Chailleach - Carn Sgulain - Carn Dearg End of minor road Newtonmore
distance : 24.5km.
ascent : 1000m.
time taken : 9hr. 10min.

These three Munros lie above the village of Newrtonmore and provide an interesting, but long, horseshoe. the route goes up to the main Monadliath ridge which is a grassy rolling ridge rather than the rocky ridges of most of the cairngorm. In many places the ground can be wet and at times muddy, so keeping to the high ground or tracks is to be recommended.

The minor road that leaves the village of Newtonmore is followed for some 2km until a car park is found at the end of the public road.

From the car park follow the track north in the direction of the Allt a' Chaorain to the end of the track and then another 500m to reach the stalkers track that climbs directly up the ridge to A 'Chailleach. After a wile you reach a bothy high up the ridge. Continue until the main south weat ridge of A 'Chailleach and then turn north east to reach the big cairn which is easy to find given the line of fence posts. (6.0kms. 590m. 3hrs. 0min.)

The route to Carn Sgulain is quite short but can be wet. The best way is to head for the col at NH674043. From here head directly, north, uphill to the main Monadliath ridge. Once at .908 turn right, north east, to climb to the summit of Carn Sgulain marked by a cairn .(3kms. 60m. 1hrs. 0min.)

The route to Carn Dearg is down the main Monadliath ridge in a south westerly direction to Carn Ban. This ridge is a collection of moss grass and rocks giving quite straiightforward and good walking. from Carn Ban is down the southern ridge. The summit is perched ovewr the east facing coirre. This is not a clean rock coirre but more grassy. (6.5kms. 250m. 2hrs. 30min.)

The shortest descent is to continue down the southern ridge of Carn Dearg past the crags on the left and onto Carn Macoul. Follow the south east ridge of this hill and where it flattens out head directlt to the path in Glean Lochan. Once at the path follow this downstream and onto Glean Banchor and then along the glen to the car park. This is a rough descent which some may not fancy. In good visibility it is possible to pick the better lines down the hillside from the end of the ridge. (9kms. 100m. 2hrs. 50min.)