Sgor Mor circular, from the Linn of Dee

Viewed in isolation, Sgor Mor would be an unassuming hill - a rounded heather moorland crowed by several summits. However, its position on the southern fringe of the Cairngorms makes it one of the finest viewpoints for looking in towards this great range, and combined with the always magnificent pinewoods it makes for a grand days walking.

Terrain

Good going underfoot on the plateau between the summits, and on the path on the return leg. The initial climb, however, is through deep heather, and the descent crosses some extensive boggy areas.

Public Transport

None to start

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Start

Linn of Dee car park. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20.75km/12.75 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 544m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO062897

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Sgor Mor

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 403 - Cairn Gorm
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the Linn of Dee car park; there is a charge payable to the National Trust for Scotland. Begin the walk by returning to the Linn of Dee road and turning right towards the bridge. As the road bends left to cross the Dee, continue straight ahead onto the track past the barrier - it is signed as a right of way to places such as Blair Atholl (via Glen Tilt) and Kingussie (via Glen Feshie) - both superb long-distance cross-country walks. The track leads past some fine old granny pines, with the beautiful River Dee on the left. Further on the remains of several old townships can be seen dotted around the glen floor. After 500m of track the plantation on the right relents and a faint track heads off right. Turn onto this briefly before heading WNW up deep, pathless heather, passing through scattered pines and giving hard going; keep aiming for Carn an 'lc Duibhe.

Stage 2

The gradient eases and the heather becomes short-cropped just before the cairn is reached, revealing a good view up to the length of Glen Derry towards Beinn Mheadhoin and its tors; Derry Cairngorm is the prominent cone to its left. The route now heads roughly NW down gentle but wet slopes before making a very steady ascent towards Sgor Dubh.

Stage 3

The summit of Sgor Dubh is marked by both a cairn and a trig point; from here the views really begin to open up, with a grandstand view across the southern Cairngorms from Cairn Toul through Ben Macdui to Beinn a'Bhuird. Luckily, the route ahead from here runs along the very straightforward ridge which sweeps westwards for 3km and the view merely gets better with each step.

Stage 4

The going becomes rocky as the Corbett summit of Sgor Mor is approached; the highest point is marked with a large cairn looking northwards into the Lairig Ghru. There is boggy ground in the bealach between here and Creagan nan Gabhar; one option is to continue westward towards Sgor an Eoin before skirting the worst of the bog on its western side and then cutting across the west flank of Creagan nan Gabhar. There is then a rather soggy descent towards the path which links the Lairig Ghru with Glen Luibeg.

Stage 5

The headwaters of the Allt Preas nam Meirleach are particularly boggy - aim to pass immediately east of the lochan. There are stunning views of the Devil's Point from here. Continue a short distance up the slope opposite to join the path, and then turn right to begin the long walk back.

Stage 6

As the path drops into Glen Luibeg it passes through a chicane in a deer fence. The main path continues ahead here but leads to an often deep ford; unless the weather is very dry it is necessary to instead turn left on a boggy path beside the fence to reach the Luibeg bridge before rejoining the main path on the far side. Continue down the glen; there is a wet grassy area amidst the pines before a footbridge over the River Derry is reached just north of Derry Lodge.

Stage 7

Cross the bridge and then follow the main track past the derelict Lodge, set beautifully amidst the pines. After another 3.5km turn right - remaining on the main track - to cross a bridge over the River Luibeg. A little over a kilometre further on, turn right onto a good clear footpath that leads back to the car park near the Linn of Dee.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.