Càrn na Drochaid is a rather sprawling hill without any distinctive features; its superb position, however, on the edge of the High Cairngorms makes it a fantastic viewpoint.
Faint track for the first part of the ascent, then pathless moorland becoming rocky near the summit.
No public transport.
Linn of Quoich car park.
There is a parking area (charge) on the left at the end of the public road towards the Linn of Quoich, 6km further along the road from the Linn of Dee. Begin past the barrier and continue to cross the new bridge over the Quoich. The track soon passes below a fine white house. Continue on the track through the gate in a deer fence and past a whitewashed wooden cottage. Beyond, the track passes through a more open area, and there are glimpses of the houses on the edge of Braemar across the other side of the valley.
The track passes the isolated house at Allanmore; beyond, it passes to the right of a couple of isolated pine trees. The slopes to the left above the track are looking increasingly rocky. Keep a sharp eye out for the start of a grassy track heading uphill to the left; it is easily missed and begins a couple of hundred metres beyond the two pines. The track winds left and right and then back left again, heading up to the thin band of pine trees that stretches across the hillside. When beside the pines, look out for a right turn in the track beyond which it begins to climb more steeply; there is a track continuing straight ahead beside the trees at this point but that track peters out. As height is gained there are superb views up towards the Linn of Dee and the mountains beyond.
The track continues the climb up towards Creag a'Cheirich; at one point it is very faint as it crosses a slight depression but beyond it becomes clear once more. Càrn na Drochaide is visible over to the left but its summit is out of sight. The track finally peters out on the little plateau at the top of Creag a'Cheirich, but it is worth heading over towards the summit cairn on the right (and particularly just south of the summit cairn) for some terrific views. Looking down the Dee valley the river can be seen winding in the shadow of the pointed summit of Lochnagar, whilst Braemar is backed by an equally fine view up Glen Clunie. To the north is Ben Avon with its series of summit tors. When leaving the top towards the col below Càrn na Drochaide, head well over to the left to avoid the little rocky gorge of Clais nan Cat.
There is no path up Càrn nan Drochaide from the bealach, but the terrain is not particularly difficult. Climb the heather slopes which steepen at one point and become stony as height is gained. The climb is rather featureless but the effort is relieved by the fantastic views to both sides and behind.
Higher up the slope eases into an undulating plateau, with cairns marking several minor summits. The true summit is marked by a massive cairn at 818 metres, making the hill a Corbett; the view in all directions is stunning, equal to that from the higher peaks. The main mass of the Cairngorms rise magnificently to the north and west, whilst east and south show fine valleys leading the eye to the peaks of the Mounth and Lochnagar.
The return is usually made the same way, with the best of the views now ahead. Be careful to again pass to the right of the Clais nan Cat; from here you can contour the slope ahead to pick up the track used on the ascent, which leads easily back down to Allanreid. Turn right along the right of way to retrace your steps to the Linn of Quoich.
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