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Advice on hiking in Cairngorms area

Advice on hiking in Cairngorms area


Postby hhikers2 » Sun Mar 17, 2019 4:09 am

Hello. Hoping to get some advice/opinions on a two or three good hikes (6 to 10 miles) that allow higher-level views in the Cairngorms area. We will have one to two days in that area -- so where would be the best place to stay in relation to hiking trailhead(s)? We generally hike starting at about 2,000 feet in elevation going up to about 4,000 feet (Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains in the U.S.). Would love to know how the peaks in the Cairngorms area compare, so we know what to expect.

Thank you!
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Re: Advice on hiking in Cairngorms area

Postby mrssanta » Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:43 pm

I'd suggest posting this again in the General section of the forums where most people will see it
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Re: Advice on hiking in Cairngorms area

Postby jmarkb » Tue Mar 26, 2019 3:17 pm

I guess you are probably interested in the northern Cairngorms, accessed from the Spey Valley, rather than Deeside or Glen Shee?
The most convenient, if not necessarily the nicest, place to stay is Aviemore - will you have your own transport?

Ben Macdui is perhaps the classic outing in the area: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/macdui-cairngorm.shtml It's at the upper end of your distance/height gain requirements and require careful navigation in poor weather.

Meall a' Buachaille is good option if the cloud is down on the higher summits: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/meallabhuachaille.shtml

Sgor Gaoith is another nice possibility: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/sgor-gaoith.shtml

I think the biggest difference you will notice from what you are used to is the lack of trees (the tree-line in Scotland is at about 400-500m) and the lack of any waymarking on high ground. On the high Cairngorm plateau, poor visibility and strong winds are common, and the featureless stony terrain means it is quite easy to lose the trail in places - solid navigation skills are necessary!

Hope you have a great trip!
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