Glas Maol Munros circuit, Cairnwell Pass

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Glas Maol is the highest of the four Munros on the east side of the Cairnwell Pass. With a high-level start and little descent between the summits, which are arranged on a plateau, this is a straightforward round in good conditions for four Munros.

Terrain

Some boggy ground on the approach, and flattish, fairly featureless stony terrain once the plateau.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Layby on A93 north of summit. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 19.25km / 12 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6.5 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 891m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO147799

Summits Climbed

Munro: Carn an Tuirc
Munro: Cairn of Claise
Munro: Glas Maol
Munro: Creag Leacach

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the layby on the east side of the A93, about two kilometres north of the Glenshee Ski Centre. Do not head for the arched wooden bridge, instead following a rougher path down to the grass-covered old stone bridge which was once part of the military road from Perth to Braemar. Soon the route becomes simply a path, but the going also becomes a little drier underfoot. The path is hard to follow in parts, passing two sets of old shielings.

Stage 2

After the second set of shielings the path reaches a tributary burn; head up beside this briefly before finding a good crossing place. A rough path now continues towards the stony dome of Carn an Tuirc. The climb is initially through grass and heather, and then the path peters out in a boggy section. Higher up, it is possible to avoid most of the stones. There are great views back towards the Cairnwell Pass.

Stage 3

The summit cairn and adjacent small shelter cairn sit together on the flat plateau at 1019 metres; this first of the day's Munros has a great feeling of space though the plateau robs the panorama of much depth; the Cairngorms look fine across Deeside. Head east towards a subsidary cairn then ESE, descending gently to reach a grassy track.

Stage 4

If the weather is good, it is worth diverting to try to get a view down into Coire Loch Kander, a classic mountain corrie in total contrast to the plateau. Otherwise, to continue the walk, follow the grassy track SSE towards Cairn of Claise, initially across truly featureless grassy terrain. Eventually the track fades out near the end of a drystone wall on the right - follow the wall, which marks the old county boundary. The going now becomes stonier underfoot; the summit cairn at 1064m is just on the left side of the wall. Head southwest along the broad ridge, initially beside the stone wall.

Stage 5

Soon it is possible to diverge from the wall to pick up a track just to the left of a tiny lochan. The track west, then southwest, then south, eventually cutting across the east side of Glas Maol. Leave it at a suitable point (there may be a tiny cairn) to ascend directly to reach the large cairn and triangulation pillar atop Glas Maol. At 1068 metres, this is the highest of the day's Munros; the plateau extends for miles to the east and north, eventually merging with Lochnagar.

Stage 6

Very easy but featureless grassy terrain is crossed SW towards a prominent cairn at Bathach Beag. From here a wall is followed southwards along the now better defined ridge. At the bealach there is a tiny stone shelter on the east side of the wall - barely enough to accommodate a sheep! From here the walk acquires more character, and rocikier slopes take over on the ascent to Cul Riabhach, and then ascends to the stony summit of Creag Leacach, the lowest but finest of the four Munros at 987 metres.

Stage 7

From here there is a choice of routes. Under snow the route we describe crosses a very steep avalanche prone slope on a path which is likely to be banked out - at such times it is better to descend SW from Creag Leachach to the SW Top, then down to the bealach with Meall Gorm before heading NE down to the Allt Coire a' Bhathaich, returning to the start with a tiring road walk over the Cairnwell Pass. In summer though, the quickest and most pleasant option is probably to retrace your steps back to the cairn at Bathach Beag, and then follow an initially very faint, narrow path that contours the west side of Glas Maol - initially across grassy slopes but later across the steep slope.

Stage 8

This leads out onto the Meall Odhar ridge, where a zig-zag path coming down from the summit of Glas Maol is joined. Follow this to the left to reach the top of the ski tows. From here a track leads down through the upper part of the ski area, reaching a peat-hagged bealach where there are several buildings which are part of the ski centre. Continue on the track down to the top of the Cairnwell Pass. From here it's around 2.5km walk northwards downhill alongside the busy road to the return to the start.

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