Beinn Mheadhoin & Derry Cairngorm, Deeside

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Summary

This long hillwalk heads from the Linn of Dee heads up to Derry Lodge before climbing over the bald, stony summit of Derry Cairngorm. It then continues past the foot of Loch Etchachan to climb remote Beinn Mheadhoin with its majestic granite tours at the very heart of the wild Cairngorms. The return is down beautiful Glen Derry and through its pinewoods.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Excellent approach tracks and hill paths, exposed boulder fields on Derry Cairngorm and rocky scramble to reach highest point of Beinn Mheadhoin. The return route down Glen Derry has potentially hazardous burn crossings.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Linn of Dee car park (charge). Open in Google Maps.

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 Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 31km / 19.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1200m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO062898

Summits Climbed

Munro: Beinn Mheadhoin
Munro: Derry Cairngorm

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (22)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Linn of Dee car park (charge) on a footpath signed for 'Glen Lui', heading into the trees from the back of the parking area. Follow this, passing a wooden lookout area and then a boardwalk built to ease the route across a boggy area. The path emerges onto a track a short distance beyond. Turn left along the track, which runs alongside a fenced section of forest at first before passing some beautiful pinewoods. After a couple of kilometres it crosses Black Bridge over the Lui to meet the main track to Derry Lodge. Turn left and follow this track up the glen. The track continues up the glen, undulating slightly and passing some forestry on the right.

Stage 2

Eventually the shelter belt of pines surrounding Derry Lodge come into view. Derry Lodge was a grand Victorian shooting lodge, used by Queen Victoria. This impressive building, which, like the rest of the estate, now belongs to the National Trust for Scotland, is boarded up and unused and has been for many years. Continue along the track past a wooden building to cross the footbridge over the River Derry. Paths go left and right on the far bank, but our route continues ahead through the heather, soon becoming well made as it climbs up through the pines and up Creag Bad an t-Seabhaig. There are good views back down the glen.

Stage 3

The gradient eases for a time and the well made path continues towards Càrn Crom; it keeps to the right of the highest point, nearer to the crags overlooking Glen Derry. Càrn Crom's summit cairn is worth a short detour for its view to Cairn Toul and Braeriach. The path descends very slightly to a bealach before rising towards the two stony domes - the furthest of which is Derry Cairngorm.

Stage 4

The path becomes less clear but it is best to keep just to the east side of the southern top before making the final ascent of the summit cone. There are areas of boulders to cross en-route - not least that covering the summit of Derry Cairngorm itself. This is a grand viewpoint taking in much of the Cairngorms, but it is the view across to Lochan Uaine below Ben Macdui's Sròn Riach ridge which is perhaps the finest feature.

Stage 5

Continue northwest along the boulder-covered ridge, crossing a bealach and keeping to the west side of the domed top of Creagan a' Choire Etchachan. Beyond this the path from Loch Etchachan up to Ben Macdui is reached - turn right along this, following it down to cross the outflow below Little Loch Etchachan.

Stage 6

From here a very stony path climbs northeast, eventually reaching the plateau of Beinn Mheadhoin. Continue along it to the first of the series of tors - known as the Barns. This low one overlooks Loch Avon and gives a good view of the larger ones to follow on the walk to the summit, across sandy terrain, almost desert or tundra-like, blasted by the winds. In thick mist the larger tors can help with navigation as you take a bearing from one to the next to make progress towards the top, and even in clear weather most walkers will detour to visit them. The summit of the mountain, at a mighty 1182 metres, is atop the largest tor towards the northeastern end - a truly massive block of granite. To reach the true top a short, reasonably easy scramble is necessary, accessed via the far side of the tor.

Stage 7

Rertrace your steps all the way back down to the Etchachan outflow, and follow the path down the south side of this burn. As the path descends into Coire Etchachan the surrounding crags becoming increasingly impressive. The route leads past the Hutchison Memorial Hut, a bothy maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Photo shows Coire Etchachan and the hut from across Glen Derry

Stage 8

Around 1km below the hut the path crosses a footbridge over the Coire Etchachan burn, and further on is joined by a path coming in from the left (from the Lairig an Laoigh). Soon there is another burn crossing - the Glas Allt Mòr - this has no bridge and can be a serious obstacle (or impassible) if the water is high - a dangerous trap. Beyond this the empty glen continues for several kilometres before reaching the beginning of the Derry pinewoods. Follow the path all the way back to Derry Lodge. From here, return to the Linn of Dee using your outward route.

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