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
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
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 and cross the Derry Burn via a bridge. On the far side turn left across the flats, where there are often vast herds of Red Deer. The track then passes a fenced area and continues up Glen Luibeg, eventually turning into a large path.
3. The path forks by an area of fenced, regenerating woodland; keep to the lower route towards the Luibeg burn. 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, continue on the path which heads round the low shoulder of the hill en route to Corrour. After another few hundred metres a path branches off to the right to begin the ascent, crossing the deer fence.
Photo ©Adam Ward, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. 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.
Photo ©Adam Ward, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The views are excellent, particularly of the Devil's Point and Carn Toul across the deep trench of the Dee. If Carn a'Mhaim is the sole objective of the day then the return is best made the same way.
Photo ©Nigel Brown licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
6. If, on the other hand, 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 ©Nigel Brown licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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Route profile
