Highland walks

Coire an t-Sneachda

Aviemore and Grantown

Summary : Coire an t-Sneachda is one of the most accessible of Britain's high mountain corries, the ski station car park and a superbly constructed path ensuring its popularity. The corrie itself is a grand cirque of cliffs, slashed by snow for much of the year and a popular venue for rock and ice-climbing depending on the season.
Terrain : Well made paths but situation can be very exposed; hillwalking gear should be carried. Despite the easy access the floor of the corrie is over 900 metres up.
Grade : gradegrade Distance : 6km/3.75 miles
Bog Factor : bog factor Time :2 – 3 hours
Start :Cairngorm Ski Centre car park Grid ref :NH989060
Map :   View an OS map of the route
  Buy Explorer 403 – Cairn Gorm online
Ascent : 299m
GPS Route/
Waypoints :
 Open this walk in QUO 2 
Tell me more
 Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)
 Open in Virtual Highlands
Tell me more
 Open this walk in Google Earth
Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :Press play button to listen   Tell me more
Public Transport :[Click for timetables - choose Area 2]

Coire an t-Sneachda no. 1

1. Park at the Cairngorm funicular railway and ski centre car park in Coire Cas. The view up towards Cairn Gorm is somewhat marred by the railway, ski-tows, runs and fences, but looking out in the other direction there is a fantastic view out over the green carpet of Rothiemurchus Forest and Loch Morlich to Aviemore and the Monadhliath beyond. The footpath begins at the right hand corner of the car park; it is accessible from either level via steps. Cross the bridge and go up the steps to the right of the lowest ski-tow.


Coire an t-Sneachda no. 2

2. A short distance on the path forks; the route to Coire an t-Sneachda is the left hand route, going up pitched stone steps.The path – which is superbly made and maintained – ascends steadily across the slope towards the corrie, with giant blocks making stepping stones over tiny streams. The views back continue to be superb.


Coire an t-Sneachda no. 3

3. Further up the path crosses the main stream and continues towards the ever more impressive cliffs of Coire an t-Sneachda ahead. The path deteriorates and finally ends just before an area of huge boulders in the floor of the corrie; most people stop here, though it is possible to cross the boulders with care to the tiny lochans below the cliffs. Return to the car park the same way.


Coire an t-Sneachda no. 4

4. Coire an t-Sneachda has been a popular venue for climbers since the great Harold Raeburn climbed Pygmy Ridge here in 1904. The largest crag is Aladdin's Buttress, beneath the highest point on the rim, and the best known rock-climb is called the Magic Crack. The corrie is even better known for winter ascents, being probably the busiest ice-climbing venue in the UK. Visiting the corrie when there is snow on the path necessitates carrying ice-axe and crampons (and knowledge of how to use them), but rewards with sightings of climbers edging their way up the ice-clad cliffs and the snow gullies between them.


Have you done this walk?

If so, why not comment on it in our Forum. If you start a new topic in the walking discussion with the name of this walk as the topic, we will link the discussion to the walk so that others can read your comments here.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?

Please let us know by using the contact form.

Route profile

View Accommodation for this area:
Grantown and Aviemore Hotels and Inns
Grantown and Aviemore Bed and breakfasts
Grantown and Aviemore cottages
Cairngorms Hostels
Cairngorms campsites


Visit our other areas: Isle of Skye | Fort William | Cairngorms | Torridon | Loch Ness & Glen Affric | Kintail | Ullapool | Perthshire | Argyll
©2007-2008 walkhighlands.co.uk DISCLAIMER, Terms of use, Copyright and Privacy policies. Walking is dangerous and done at your own risk