Beinn a'Bhuird is the eleventh highest mountain in Britain, a vast high plateau in the eastern Cairngorms. The shortest approach is up Glen Quoich and follows a the former line of a bulldozed track – now restored by the NTS - high onto the mountain. Even this route is a long walk.
Summary
Good tracks for the approach to the stony plateau. The summit area can be difficult to navigate and is extremely exposed in bad weather. There is one river crossing which would be impossible in spate and requires a wade at most times.
Terrain
NO118911
Grid ref
28km/17.5 miles
Distance
Grade
Linn of Quoich car park
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Pronunciation
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1. There is a grassy parking area for the Linn of Quoich, 6km further along the road from the Linn of Dee. There is a good path starting on the west side of the river but it's a better start to follow the east side upstream. After a short distance you reach the Linn of Quoich, with a derelict cottage on the right; this was known as Queen Victoria's Tea Room and later as the Princess's Tea Room after Queen Victoria's granddaughter who married the owner of Mar Lodge at the time. Cross the bridge with its view of the river being forced through the narrow ravine below.
2. On the far side, keep right and follow the path steeply up the bank – it joins a track a short distance beyond. The route now follows this track for many kilometres but it is an enjoyable walk up the glen, soon entering some fine pinewoods. After a couple of kilometres you'll see a footbridge over to the river to the right – this can be used on the return walk to follow a scenic route back down the eastern side of the glen if you still have the energy. For now, continue ahead along the glen, with Beinn a'Bhuird's huge bulk coming into view ahead on the right as the track curves round and passes below a plantation. Beyond this it crosses a small stream and a path goes off left through the Clais Fhearnaig.
3. Continue on the track to reach the Allt an Dubh-Ghleann. Even in summer this requires wading, and it would be quite impossible to cross in high spate – if the water level is high then discretion is the better part of valour. On the far side the track soon forks; take the left branch which heads towards the spur of Carn Allt na Beine. Higher up the track swings right and then climbs back across the spur. The section of track from here to Beinn a'Bhuird was once one of the ugliest scars in the Highlands – a widely bulldozed route visible for miles around. However in recent years the National Trust for Scotland has done a fantastic job in beginning the restoration of the landscape, and the track is recovering. Higher up the new path built by NTS leaves the track completely when it zigzags sharp left for a second time; continue on the fine new path ahead that heads towards the bealach of An Diollaid.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. Continue up the ridge from the bealach – this section above the saddle of An Diollaid was once the worst part of the scar. The slopes soon broaden out and the gradient eases; bear right to head up onto the summit plateau of Beinn a'Bhuird. Excellent navigation is needed here if the weather is poor, but in good conditions you can venture to the edge of the plateau and look down into dramatic Coire an Dubh-Lochain. The south summit can be reached by a detour of about 700 metres from this point. Otherwise you can either follow the plateau edge towards where it narrows to a point with the best view of the corrie, or take a more direct line to regain the edge above Coire nan Clach.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The summit is set back from the edge of Coire nan Clach, away from the immediate drama of the precipices but with a grand prospect over endless rolling lower hills to the north, east and south; only to the west does the bulk of the main Cairngorms impinge on the distant horizon. Returning by the same route is the option taken by most walkers, and the fine pinewoods of Glen Quoich make this just as enjoyable as the ascent – it is the route we recommend. It is instead possible to continue the walk to take in Ben Avon across the bealach of the Sneck; however if attempting to return to the Linn of Quoich there is tricky pathless ground above the upper section of the Quoich and it would probably be better to return down Gleann an t-Slugain and then follow the track on the north side of the Dee valley back to the start – needless to say, this would be a truly epic day requiring supreme fitness.
Photo ©Stuart Meek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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