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.

Cairngorm and the Northern Coires

Cairngorm and the Northern Coires
Cairngorm Summit [NJ004040, 1245]
Cairn Lochan [NH985026, 1215]
OS map : 36
start : Cairngorm Ski Area Car Park
gridref : NH990060
summary : Cairngorm car park - Cairngorm Summit - Cairn Lochan - Cairngorm car Park
distance : 10.5km.
ascent : 760m.
time taken : 4hr. 40min.

Coire an Lochain

The dome of Cairngorm

Summit cairn on Cairngorm.


Cairngorm gives it's name to both the massive high plateau to the south of Cairngorm hill itself and to the national park. The Northern edge of the Cairngorm massive has a series of large and impressive coirres. This walk takes the walker up Cairngorm and along the edge of the Northern Coirres.

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.)

Leave the summit of Cairngorm and follow the rim of the coires in a (general) westerly direction. There is a decent path from the summit of cairngorm that descends the western flank to the col just below the large cairn at the top of Fiacaille a Coire Cas. Follow the path around and then up to the summit of Stob Coire an t-Sneachda. Continue around the rim of this coire and onto the summit of Cairn Lochan. Whilst there is no danger in this route, care must be taken on the north (right) hand side as these large impressive cliffs are not an area for a slip. (3kms. 120m. 1hrs. 10min.)

Continue following the cliff edge, and make towards the flat meadows at the top of Coire Lochan. From here there is a good path that follows the ridge on the west of Coire Lochan down to the valley. Follow this down and when it crosses a path running NE follow this good path around the lower slopes of the coires back to the car park. (4.5kms. 0m. 1hrs. 20min.)

12th September 2019 The wind was blowing, as usual, in the car park so it was a windy walk up from the car park to the Ptarmigan restaurant - shut. Due to the closure of the Funicular railway due to structural issues then the restaurant is closed. This like much of the area especially in the non-skiing season is a sad site. Cloud was down as the top was reached. Luckily the cloud rose a bit as I descended towards Coire Cas and so I decided to continue with this route. A day for some navigation even though I have been here many times before. Luckily as I was descending Cairn Lochan the cloud was lifting and the sun coming out. Such a great site as the car park came back into view.