The Cairnwell Trio

[iainR]

Following an uneventful 2 hour drive up from Hamilton Big Jie and i finally pulled into the parking area opposite the Glenshee Ski Centre which was a hive of activity due to a mountain rescue dog training day which looked to be taking place on the hills opposite the Cairnwells. Meanwhile we stared up at The Cairnwell itself and looked for a starting point. After walking around the chairlift shed at the bottom of the hill we picked up a very stony path which seemed to lead upwards but soon ended and was replaced by a very faint grassy path which continued up the hillside eventually leading under the chairlift then alongside it. The going here was very steep but we were soon rewarded when the summit of the hill was reached in 30 minutes which for me was a record ascent of a Munro !
Despite the overcast skies the views from the summit of The Cairnwell were extensive and we could more or less see our entire walking route from start to finish.

The Glenshee Ski Centre

Approaching the summit of The Cairnwell

Summit of The Cairnwell

Soon we were walking down to the path junctions between Carn Asoda and Carn a'Gheoidh where we headed west then south past some small lochans then west again as the path lead out to Carn a'Gheoidh. Light rain showers had accompanied us on and off since leaving The Cairnwell but once we reached the summit area of the second hill the rain vanished never to return although it always looked like it might. The summit cairn at Carn a'Gheoidh provided a good shelter and it was here we had our first pit stop and got chatting with some fellow walkers.

Towards Carn a'Gheoidh

Path down from The Cairnwell

Lochan enroute to Gheoidh

Summit of Carn a'Gheoidh

During the walk back towards the main path junctions we encountered numerous groups of walkers as the hills got busier with the afternoon wearing on and the weather improved though rain clouds were ever present in the distance.
After the barren moors and stony landscape of Carn a'Gheoidh the approach to Carn Asoda reminded us we were in ski resort territory with assorted metal work and wooden fences running down the hill at every turn, the ski centre building and main road looked very close from here.

Loch Vrotachan with Carn Asoda behind

The Cairnwell from Carn Asoda

The summit of Carn Asoda was similar to the other two in the respect that it was covered in stones but the view north towards the Braemar area was much better. After some photos and another pit stop we headed back down in what was the shortest walkout from a group of Munros that i'd ever done.

iainR on the summit of Carn Asoda

Looking north from Carn Asoda

As multiple Munro days went The Cairnwell Trio proved to be very accessible and very quick yet delivered some fantastic views of an area that i'd love to revisit.

[J4MRU]

Did you walk down off the Cairnwell on the Ski tow?

I’d much prefer doing that than walking all the way back round to Aosda.

[iainR]

We did Carn Asoda last and walked down to the ski centre from there.