Ben Macdui is the second highest mountain in Britain. Approaching it from Speyside involves crossing the vast and exposed Cairngorm plateau, a rolling arctic wilderness and a popular route but requiring excellent navigation skills.
Summary
Good paths on ascent and descent to plateau. The plateau itself is extremely exposed and tricky to navigate except in perfect conditions - particularly serious when under snow.
Terrain
NH989059
Grid ref
17.5km/10.75 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
Bus to Cairngorm ski centre
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Park at the large car park at the Ski centre and the foot of the funicular railway. The quickest route up Cairngorm ascends the old track to the Ptarmigan restaurant and continues to the summit from there - a trudge, far from the most impressive features of the mountain and hardly worthy of such a famous summit. The route given here is much longer and has more ups and downs, but enables you to visit the dramatic cliff scenery of the northern corries. Head west using the steps and cross over the bridge; on the far side the path heads up some steps and bends right across the moor, soon joining another path. At the fork, keep to the lower, right hand path - the other new path heads up into Coire an t-Sneachda. The path continues across the moor and soon crosses the Allt Coire an t-Sneachda with the help of stepping stones. At the next fork beyond - with a much poorer path - again keep to the larger, lower path.
2. Cross the next stream, which issues from Coire an Lochain, and continue on the path up onto the wide ridge of Miadan Creag an Leth-choin; ignore the smaller path which cuts across the slope. As height is gained great views open up on the left, across the gulf of Coire an Lochain - with its tiny lochan - to Cairn Lochan.
3. There is a flatter, boggier area to cross above this ridge before a good path is picked up which contours the slopes of Cairn Lochain on the west side, high above the precipitous slopes that plunge into the Lairig Ghru. The path heads across the now flatter ground, passing between the pools of the March Burn and Lochan Buidhe; beyond here it joins another path coming across the plateau from Cairn Gorm.
Photo: Bioman
4. Continue across the stony tundra, rising gently before a slight descent and then a longer gradual climb across the flanks of Ben Macdui's northern top to reach the true summit. The second highest mountain in Britain is marked by a large cairn topped with a trig point. A view indicator helps to identify the many summits in view though the expansive plateau means the panorama lacks depth. Return the same way before taking the right hand fork before Lochan Buidhe.
Photo: Malky_c
5. The broad and eroded path (visible only in summer!) crosses the slopes above the headwaters of the Feith Buidhe, scene of a terrible tragedy in 1971 when six young people died in a blizzard when being led by a trained instructor. The edge of the northern corries is reached at the bealach between Cairn Lochan and Stob Coire an t-Sneachda. Unless intending to descend the very steep and eroded goat track into the corrie continue to the right over Stob Coire an t-Sneachda. Further round, the Fiacaill a'Choire Chais ridge offers an easy descent if energy is running low.
6. Otherwise, ascend the broad slopes to the east to reach the summit of Cairn Gorm. The views from here are much more dramatic than those from Ben Macdui, with grand views over the great carpet of Rothiemurchus Forest and the drama of the Northern Corries. Descend north to the Ptarmigan restaurant (where it may be possible to ride down by the funicular railway). Continue the walk by going down the Sron an Aonaich path which eventually bears left and descends back to the ski-centre car park.
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