Ding dong, Avon calling. A bike/hike in the Cairngorms.

[mamoset]

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These were the last 2 Munro's for me East of the A9, which was a bit of a shame, as I enjoy walking in the Cairngorms. Still, i'm sure i'll find a reason to re-visit in the future Due to the overall length of this trip, we decided to bike the 5 miles to Gleann an t-Slugain, thus saving a good couple of hours overall.

Free parking at Slugain ruins.

Most of the ride is on track, but it is easy going virtually the whole way. After locking the bikes up, we headed off into the glen.

The glen.

As usual, the vastness of this area takes your breath away. The track is good for making time and we were soon at the ford below Clach a' Cleirich.

A' Chioch prominent on Beinn a' Bhuird.

Clach a' Cleirich straight ahead.

From the ford, we turned north, up Glas Allt Mor, heading for The Sneck.

Rock formations at The Sneck.

Route up Ben Avon.

Route up Glas Allt Mor.

Turned NE, and headed up the well worn track. The "Barns" are such an usual sight, protruding from the flat barren landscape.

Barns on Ben Avon.

Summit barn of Ben Avon.

As it was nice and dry, we climbed up onto the summit of the barn, and Munro No.1 was conquered.

Summit of Ben Avon (Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe)

We re-traced our steps back to The Sneck, and began the climb, firstly, onto Cnap a' Cleirich.

Pimpled ridge of Stob an t-Sluichd.

Route up Beinn a' Bhuird.

Once over Cnap a' Cleirich, it was simply a long wander over the vast summit plateau of Beinn a' Bhuird north to south to negotiate.

Across the mighty corries of Beinn a' Bhuird.

Beinn a' Bhuird summit.

After leaving the summit, we followed the edge of the corries, heading for South Top.

Coire nan Clach.

Ben Macdui and down to Loch Etchachan.

Distant South Top.

Dubh Lochan.

Lochnagar.

To get to the track the quickest, we made our way down to Carn Fiaclach, before taking the rough route over the moorland.

Route down to Carn Fiaclach.

Glas Maol to Cairnwell.

. Finally got back to the bikes and all that remained was a nice, easy downhill run back to the car. Well, I say easy, except, in true Simo style, he went head over heels off his bike, though thankfully, there was little damage done and he got back on and we arrived back at the car in one piece . Another fantastic day in the Cairngorms, and i'd like to think there will be more