Carn a'Mhaim is a southern satellite of Ben Macdui, to which it is linked by long and very narrow ridge, an unusual feature for the Cairngorms. Carn a'Mhaim is well seen from Derry Lodge and provides a worthwhile ascent in its own right, though it is even better if continuing to its mighty parent.
Summary
Good tracks and paths for the approach; the ascent is stony but gives reasonable going in good conditions, topped by a rocky summit.
Terrain
NO062898
Grid ref
22.5km/14 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
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Public transport
1. Park at the large National Trust car park at the Linn of Dee; there is a charge. Before beginning the walk, it is worth heading back to the road and having a look at the Linn of Dee on the far side, where the River Dee plunges through a narrow rocky defile, spanned by the road bridge. Return to the car park, and this time take the footpath which leaves it to the north. This path through the forest has a 'boardwalk' surface in parts, and soon curves east and passes through a gate to join the main landrover track heading up Glen Lui. Turn left up this track, which soon crosses the Lui Water, leaves the forest and continues up the more empty glen.
2. After a couple more kilometres the track passes below a plantation and then enters the beautiful pinewoods around Derry Lodge. This former shooting lodge is boarded up; it is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland following its purchase of the vast Mar Lodge estate. Just south of here is Bob Scott's, an open refuge for walkers; please help to maintain this by carrying out any rubbish when you pass back this way as it has been badly abused by some. Continue past Derry Lodge, forking right past the rescue hut and crossing the Derry Burn via a footbridge. On the far side turn left. Soon a wide clearing in the pinewoods is reached - the going across this section is boggy. Beyond this the path improves greatly, soon leaving the last pines behind.
3. When the path forks, take the left branch which soon leads through a chicane into an area of fenced, regenerating woodland. Soon a ford over the Luibeg burn is reached; this is often a substantial river. If the water level is low it may be possible to cross it here; if in spate, a detour of around four hundred metres upstream is required. On the far side, a very wet section of path leads alongside a deer fence to rejoin the main path above the ford. Exit the fenced area at a second deer chicane and follow the path which is now dry once more.
4. After another few hundred metres a clear path, reconstructed in recent years, branches off to the right to begin the ascent proper. The climb continues northwest, pretty directly up the slopes which get steadily steeper, with open ground and stones replacing the heather beside the recently repaired path. Once above the level of the Coire na Poite crags the ground levels off once more and the route bears slightly left to join the south ridge heading up towards Carn a'Mhaim. The first summit at 1014 metres is a top; the true summit is around half a kilometre northwest across a shallow col.
5. The views are excellent, particularly of the Devil's Point and Carn Toul across the deep trench of the Dee. If conditions are good and time and energy are in plentiful supply, a continuation onto Ben Macdui from here is highly recommended. The connecting ridge narrows to a fine but perfectly straightforward arete, and from the end of this is a long climb of four hundred metres up the bouldery shoulder of Ben Macdui to the south of the Allt Clach nan Tailleir. On the plateau above, the usual route up Ben Macdui via the Sron Riach ridge is joined.
Photo: Stretch
6. If, on the other hand, Carn a'Mhaim is the sole objective of the day, the best option is to retrace your steps and return the same way.
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