Visit the stunning waters of Loch Avon and Loch Etchachan, experience the majesty of Coire an t-Sneachda and summit three of the Cairngorms most iconic Munros: Ben Macdui, Britain’s second highest mountain;  Beinn Mheadhion with its magical granite tors; and Cairn Gorm itself.

Our journey will start at the  Cairngorm Mountain Ski area at the Coire Cas Car Park. Already at a height of 635 metres, from here on our journey will rapidly enter deep into the mountains and head into the magnificent Coire an t-Sneachda [Coire of the Snows] with its towering cliffs, before our ascent to the Central Plateau via the Goat Track. This is a steep path with a degree of exposure and, although not a true scramble, on occasions needs a hand on rock.

Once on the plateau we will head to one of the most iconic mountain views in Scotland as the burn [stream] of Feith Buidhe plummets down to the secretive Loch Avon surrounded by the Shelter Stone, Stag, Eagle and Hell’s Lum crags. From here we head off path through the mystical and rarely visited Garbh Uisge towards our ascent of Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in Britain at 1,309 metres. This will, on a clear day, give us stunning views down into the Lairig Ghru, Scotland’s most famous mountain pass, and across to the high summits and Munros of the western Cairngorms.

From Ben Macdui we descend towards Loch Etchachan passing above the Grey Man’s Crags with views to the Southern Cairngorms and Dee Side, before reaching Britain’s highest major loch at 927 metres. Our route now ascends steeply to the plateau of Beinn Mheadhion with easy walking towards its granite tors whilst taking time to search out the human and animal features naturally eroded into the rocks. After a short [optional] scramble to its summit we will continue our journey down to a sandy underfoot crossing [shoes off] through the outflow of Loch Avon, where time allowing, a refreshing quick swim might be warranted. 

Our final ascent takes us up to the Saddle and then high above Stathnethy on the eastern flank of Cairn Gorm towards Coire Mhearad,  with views to the eastern Cairngorms including Bynack Mor,  Beinn a’Bhuird and Ben Avon [A’an]. Once we have taken in the true summit of Cairn Gorm we will drop down to the Fiacaill a’ Choire Chias and our final descent back to the Ski Centre.

Throughout the journey your guide will relate the stories and myths of the Cairngorm Plateau.