Ben Macdui

Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation

The second highest mountain in Britain, Ben Macdui is in the centre of the arctic-like Cairngorms plateau - a much wilder place than Ben Nevis. Climbed equally frequently from both Deeside and Speyside, the summit is said to be haunted by the wraith-like Old Grey Man.

 You have not climbed Ben Macdui.

Region: Cairngorms

Altitude: 1309 metres

You must be registered and signed-in to vote

Detailed route description and map

Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm from the Linn of Dee

Ben Macdui and Cairngorm from the north (ski-centre)

Via the Cairn a' Mhaim ridge

Other routes and challenges

The three routes above cover the most common ascents; another option is via Glen Derry, heading up paths to Coire Etchachan and Little Loch Etchachan and then up to the plateau. From Corrour Bothy, there is a faint path forking off the Lairig Ghru route north of the Clach nan Taillear, crossing the Allt Clach nan Taillear higher up for a rough and bouldery ascent to the summit.

The epic challenge hereabouts is the ascent of the Cairngorm 4000ers, best accomplished from Speyside. Ascend Brariach via the Chlamain Gap from the Sugar Bowl car park, head round to Cairn Toul and then Corrour Bothy. Use the Allt Clach nan Taillear route onto Ben Macdui, then continue to Cairngorm and back down to the ski centre.

Walker-friendly accommodation in the area

Cairngorms Hotels

Cairngorms B&B

Cairngorms cottages

Cairngorms hostels

Panoramic summit view (click to open)

Walk report	Author	Date walked	Likes	Hills
Nine days, Nine 4000'ers, Eh eight guys, a ton of porridge.	Euan McIntosh	09/06/2015	36	M10C1
Gales, wilderness, bothies and a mad woman in the Cairngorms	Mountainlove	15/08/2014	28	M5
Top Ten Charity Challenge - 10 Highest Munros in a Weekend	jupe1407	13/06/2014	19	M11
High altitude snorkeling (taking in Ben Macdui)	Reginald Rat	22/09/2012	19	M1
Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm, 1st Munros	sarahejones	08/10/2014	16	M2
They shall not grow old	BlackPanther	01/08/2020	13	M1
In search of the Grey Man on Ben Macdui	keithwilcox	19/08/2016	13	M2
Carn a 'Mhaim, Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm	nathan79	22/08/2011	13	M3
Cairngorm's Big 5: Ben Macdui to Braeriach via Devil's Point	Petr Dakota	02/10/2014	12	M5
Weasel's Cairngorm Tops Adventure	weaselmaster	13/09/2014	12	M10
Catastrophic Cairngorms Climbing	jupe1407	21/09/2013	12	M3
Rockhopping in the Cairngorms - A Sunshine Epic!!	dooterbang	20/07/2013	12	M8
Cairngorms: 4 days, 3 bothies, 6 Munros.	rorymch	28/03/2017	11	M6
A perfect day on Ben Macdui	smike	06/02/2015	11	M1
Cairngorm Capers - six in the centre	Huff_n_Puff	25/06/2014	11	M6
An Epic Day Out In The Cairngorms	Del246	22/03/2012	11	M2
I thought that I was alone on the great plateau.	gaffr	12/02/2010	11	M2
Loch Etchachan camp and 6 Munros from Linn o' Dee	jimbell21	20/07/2020	10	M6
Ben Macdui Circuit on Stunning November Day	M_K_Hubbert	03/11/2015	10	M3
The Fiacaill Ridge, a Cairngorm wild camp and Ben Macdui....	wilkiemurray	21/07/2013	10	M2
Fogbows on Macdui - Times like these!	Sunset tripper	17/10/2020	9	M2
Overnight camping in the Cairngorms - a beginners guide	Mountainlove	29/08/2019	9	M2
Beautiful Cairngorms views:Ben Macdui & Cairn Gorm revisited	Petr Dakota	27/08/2019	9	M2
The Cairngorm 4000ers on a hot August holiday weekend.	jimbell21	24/08/2019	9	M6
In the Cairngorms at last: a round of 6 with 4 biggies	Alteknacker	07/09/2016	9	M6
Our last Munro's of 2016- such a perfect day.	martin.h	22/09/2016	8	M2
Cairngorms: great day in gale via Loch Avon, really summer ?	Petr Dakota	16/07/2016	8	M3
Cairngorms: Bag of Sh#te!	malky_c	02/07/2016	8	M3
Summer on Macdui on a special day	Fife Flyer	09/06/2015	8	M2
Amongst the Monadh Ruaidh	weaselmaster	01/09/2013	8	M13
Big Grey Man of Macdui..............	wilkiemurray	24/11/2012	8	M1
Heaven and Hell in the Cairngorms	iainwatson	04/07/2011	8	M5
Ben Macdui 70 years on	rohan	21/09/1943	8	M1
Amazing sunrise, blue skies and squeaky bum scrambling in CG	tombombadilio	03/11/2015	7	M3
A Cairngorm Circular - to Braemar and back	Old Bill	09/09/2015	7	M7C1
There's no business like snow business!	jonny616	22/09/2012	7	M2
Macdui & co from Linn of Dee	Fife Flyer	03/08/2018	6	M3
2 Days in the Cairngorms with night in Hutchinson Bothy	thorburn7	20/04/2018	6	M4
6 Highest UK Peaks In 24 Hours	ittakesguts	30/07/2016	6	M6
Ben Macdui: in quest of Fearlas Mor	HalfManHalfTitanium	15/09/2015	6	M1
The 3 Bens Challenge	scoob999	10/08/2012	6	M6
Cairngorm Wanderings	Clach Liath	02/06/2012	6	M5
Into the Cairngorms...	rvrscum	16/06/2011	6	M4
My Sisters first and 2nd Munro Ben MacDhui and Cairngorm	Ray Mackay	22/04/2011	6	M2
Bike, Bog and Best route in the Cairngorms	DomBoyd	07/11/2020	5	M4
Searching for Malcy's Special Spots...	Jaxter	21/07/2018	5	M3
My first Munro... by accident	renee2	18/07/2017	5	M1
Shelterstone Crag and Loch Avon (oh - and Ben MacDui)	malky_c	06/07/2015	5	M1
5 Cairn Gorms, Snow blowers and an Ice Berg in June!!!	scottishkennyg	14/06/2013	5	M5
Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui under Blue Skies	GariochTom	25/05/2013	5	M2
Ben Macdui, Cairn Gorm	gman	18/02/2013	5	M2
Ben MacDui - a beautiful winter day in the Cairngorms	DrMagpie	17/02/2013	5	M1
Back to the Cairngorms again :)	PeteR	11/03/2012	5	M2
Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm	Stug	04/03/2012	5	M2
The Boss & I - 2 Days In The Cairngorms	Boycie	24/07/2011	5	M1
Blue to grey on Ben Macdui	malky_c	08/09/2019	4	M1
Bongo makes it to Braemar-MacDui and Carn a'Mhaim Bike Hike	JimboJim	03/09/2018	4	M2
Lairig Ghru Munros Two-Dayer, 7 Summits	Gstonebanks	15/07/2018	4	M7
Dodging Grey Man & thunderstorms on Macdui & Derry Cairngorm	bobble_hat_kenny	27/05/2017	4	M2
Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm	johnkaysleftleg	31/07/2013	4	M2
Derry but non-dairy Cairngorm and friends	BlackPanther	07/07/2013	4	M3
Deck Chairs in the Snow on Ben Macdui	dektasker	22/09/2012	4	M2
Total Solitude in the Cairngorms	L-Hiking	19/06/2012	4	M2
Ben Macdui - fun in the snow and lessons learned	fipriestley	21/04/2012	4	M2
Ben Macdui - My very first Munro	ally63	11/01/2012	4	M2
Cairngorm 4000s and others over 2 days	lachlantm	24/08/2019	3	M8
Meandering across the Cairngorms - a 2 day trip	malky_c	22/07/2018	3	M3
Derry Cairngorm, Ben Macdui, Carn a'Mhaim from Linn of Dee	Hbrannigan	10/07/2017	3	M3
A scorching crossing of the Cairngorms	malky_c	27/05/2017	3	M1
Ben Macdui & Cairn Gorm from the North an excellent walk	The Rodmiester	10/09/2016	3	M2
Ben Macdui Christmas day	scoob999	25/12/2015	3	M1
Cairngorm Winter Bothy Trip	shivy88	11/12/2015	3	M1
Macdui and Cairn Gorm in autumnal splendour	Allyw	20/10/2015	3	M2
The unfit, unprepared tacling the 10 Highest Munros in 5 day	Beam	21/06/2015	3	M11
Ben Macdui from Glen Derry	Driftwood	12/06/2014	3	M3
A mini-stravaig over the northern Cairngorms	malky_c	09/06/2013	3	M1
Cairngorms Circuit	J888ohn	31/07/2012	3	M3
Sunshine on the Cairngorm plateau	gaffr	29/04/2012	3	M1
Fiacaill Ridge Scramble & Ben Macdui	HighlandSC	25/04/2011	3	M1
Chritmas on Ben Macdui	mountaineagle	24/12/2010	3	M2
Rock Climbing in the Cairngorms	past my sell by date	10/10/1993	3	M2
An inpromptu traverse of the Cairngorms	hpil	11/09/2020	2	M6
Ben Macdui and Cairngorm.. Beautiful Views but no Grey Man..	Coutts94	23/08/2020	2	M2
Macdui horseshoe	thand	31/07/2020	2	M3
3 Cairngorm Munros and a Walk in Lairig Ghru	ScotFinn65	01/06/2019	2	M3
Winter wonderland (in May)	U059361	12/05/2019	2	M2
..a slightly more challenging route instead of royal wedding	Jon and Jen	20/05/2018	2	M2
Cairngorm Tops - MacDhui and Chaorainn	weaselmaster	30/07/2017	2	M4
Wild camp after a wild day in Cairngorms.	mamoset	17/07/2017	2	M5
Beinn Mheadhoin, Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm	philiarana	16/07/2017	2	M3
Cairngorm Gold & the mysterious disappearance of 4 young men	Graeme D	19/06/2016	2	M5
Topping up the sun tan.	Guinessman	20/10/2015	2	M7
Escaping Aberdoom - What a Quacking Idea!	andygunn23	10/10/2015	2	M3
Luibeg super-circuit	superstar_tradesman	19/09/2015	2	M3
Ben Macdui, Derry Cairngorm & Carn a'Mhaim	Jokester	22/08/2015	2	M3
Ben Macdui & Cairn Gorm	SecretSquirrel	28/06/2015	2	M2
May Munro Madness Part 2	shivy88	24/05/2015	2	M4
Big Stretch up Ben Macdui	Bod	29/06/2013	2	M1
Cairngorm Style	gordon l	20/04/2013	2	M2
Cairngorms 8 tops ski tour in 24 hours	Roger Wild	31/03/2013	2	M8
Cairngorm dawdle	whiteburn	01/11/2012	2	M5
A quick step and scotch hop across Cairn Gorm and Ben MacDui	dektasker	30/06/2012	2	M2
From dawn till dusk; just mac du it...	andrewdoggett	19/11/2011	2	M4
Ben Macdui from the Linn of Dee	martin_free	25/08/2011	2	M2
Carn a'Mhaim, Ben Macdui, Derry Cairngorm	skuk007	28/06/2011	2	M3
weekend in cairngorms	RUGBYPLAYER	24/06/2011	2	M8
A Hazy Day Carn a'Mhaim and onto Ban Macdui	trailer	21/04/2011	2	M2
50 on Macdui	Alastair S	26/02/2011	2	M3
Cairn Gorm, Beinn Mheadhoin and Ben Macdui	Mrs T	10/09/2009	2	M3
First Time Exploring the Cairngorms - 4000s (plus 2)	The Rec	06/09/2020	1	M7
Ben Macdui & Cairngorm	vonda85	02/08/2020	1	M2
Cairngorm Circuit - 25 hours, 6 munros.	CalHen	04/08/2018	1	M6
2nd and 3rd highest - Ben Macdui & Braeriach	Karen1989	10/08/2017	1	M2
Glorious sunshine in the Cairngorms	SpamFritter	06/05/2017	1	M2
3 Days - 3 Munros - 3 Buddies - 1 Cairngorms National Park	SamPlumb	17/04/2017	1	M3
Macdui and Carn a Mhaim by chance, not design	GillC	11/07/2016	1	M2
Bothy Bashing in the Cairngorms	liamando	16/08/2015	1	M3
Braeriach 4 + 3, + 10 kg firewood, Corrour overnighter	Dommie	30/11/2014	1	M7
Ben Macdui 2014	JonAksel	25/11/2014	1	M5
Only 200 more to go	Backpacker	10/08/2014	1	M3
Central Cairngorms Circuit	Katrina	09/08/2014	1	M3
A swin in Loch Avon and 3 Munros	David Lyall	25/07/2014	1	M3
Ben MacMisty. This report is certified 12A	teaandpies	19/06/2014	1	M1
Munro bagging with a cafe stop?	arobinson840	28/09/2013	1	M2
A Cairngorm epic - day 1 Cairngorm to Loch Etchachan	Flo-go	15/07/2013	1	M3
Macdui and more - on the peanut trail	old danensian	09/07/2013	1	M4
Ben Macdui & Cairngorm	StephenT	31/07/2012	1	M2
Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm in the rain	tomcar	28/07/2012	1	M2
Ben Macdhui & Buggering my Ankle	kylie12	21/07/2012	1	M2
Fiacaill Ridge then 4 Munros	alex_140	29/02/2012	1	M4
Cairngorms Ben Macdui and Cairn gorm	quoman	12/11/2011	1	M2
corrour bothy to cairngorm via carn a mhaim and macdui	d gwynn	05/10/2011	1	M3
Finally lost my (Cairgorms) virginity	Driver84	19/06/2011	1	M2
Ben Macdui, Beinn Mheadhoin and Cairn Gorm	csimbad	11/06/2011	1	M3
Mayday in the Caingorms - Ben MacDui & Cairn Gorm	jwramsay	02/05/2011	1	M2
Linn of Dee - Corrour Bothy - Ben Macduie	AlexRichards	03/03/2011	1	M1
Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm	BethAtTheHug	20/06/2010	1	M2
The missionary returns	Stainless	17/10/2009	1	M2
Ben Macdui & Cairngorm	Scotshiker	22/08/2009	1	M2
A grey day on Macdui (but no Big Grey Man)	Graeme D	24/07/2009	1	M4
Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm	bluejimbo2711	13/07/2009	1	M3
Munros Twenty to Twenty Two	Chris Henshall	22/07/1976	1	M3
Pinewoods and Sky Blue Macdui	Raynor	02/10/2020	0	M2
Review: Ben Macudi circular walk from Braemar	0151Sam64	14/09/2019	0	M2
Ben Macdui - winter at the top of the Cairngorms	Fingal2018	01/10/2018	0	M1
Ben Macdui and Cairngorm	m0ns00n	11/08/2018	0	M2
Ben Macdui	Johnoneill1916	19/07/2018	0	M1
Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm	bacon1981	09/06/2018	0	M2
Cairngorm Weekend	hindsight	25/05/2018	0	M6
Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm	sirjonnyp	20/05/2018	0	M2
Cairngorm and Ben Macdui	viktorhauk	14/11/2017	0	M2
wonderful day in the mountains	clareblues	20/06/2017	0	M2
Admiring Cairngorm Crags and Coirres	Cairngorm creeper	04/09/2016	0	M1
Cairngorms Sauchiehall Street	ngm1scot	27/08/2016	0	M2
Long day but got the 2nd highest peak in there!	craigthe5th	20/08/2016	0	M3
Ben Macdui and Cairngorm	andy63	10/08/2016	0	M2
A great day on the Cairngorm plateau	pacol	06/06/2016	0	M2
Cairn Gorm, Beinn Mheadhoin, Ben Macdui	Somerled87	05/06/2016	0	M3
Winter in the Cairngorms - but isn't it Spring?	Delice	30/04/2016	0	M3
A walk in the Cairngorms	Guswelsh	07/08/2015	0	M7
Carn a'Mhaim and Ben Macdui	AndyG111	05/08/2015	0	M2
Cairngorm clamber & canter	Scott Strachan	24/07/2015	0	M3
A day in the sun and snow	scotdavid63	29/12/2014	0	M2
Ben Macdui via Carn a'Mhaim	Ronnie1959	05/10/2014	0	M2
Helpful people	Ronnie1959	07/06/2014	0	M2
Braeriach - Macdui - Cairngorm - Bynack More Circuit	dannyblue	01/05/2014	0	M8
A wander in the Cairngorms	jackfrost	22/06/2013	0	M4
Inversions on the Blue Mountain nice wee wind down	Collaciotach	09/06/2013	0	M2
11th & 12th Munroes 1st winter walk (Ben Macdui & Cairngorm)	paulbritish	26/11/2012	0	M2
Cairn Gorm & Ben Macdui	gyles	28/07/2012	0	M2
Ben Macdui followed by Cairn Gorm	railton22	15/07/2012	0	M2
A damp Macdui	basscadet	24/06/2012	0	M1
Ben Macdui	gacameron	03/06/2012	0	M3
Carn aMhaim, Ben Macdui, Derry Cairgorm	Tomsie	01/06/2012	0	M3
Ben Macdui via Carn a Mhaim + Derry Cairngorm	Philwalker	05/05/2012	0	M3
Ben Macdui + 2 in the mist	SMRussell	03/10/2011	0	M3
Ben Macdui and Cairngorm via loch Avon	pigeon	24/09/2011	0	M2
A Cairngorm Romance	madrock289	31/08/2011	0	M2
Two from the Ski Centre	porty	25/08/2011	0	M2
ben Macdui via loch avon	paul2610	18/07/2011	0	M2
Rainy day on Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm	FeartyTim	21/06/2011	0	M2
cairngorm and ben macdui	mikeandnat	04/06/2011	0	M2
Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm	Frogwell	22/05/2011	0	M2
My first post - Macdhui	chegp	15/04/2011	0	M2
Macdui from Linn of dee	minealone	07/11/2010	0	M2
Ben Macdui & Derry Cairngorm from the ski centre	baggervance	05/11/2010	0	M2
Macdui with a club	Scotjamie	05/10/2010	0	M1
Cairn a' Mhaim,Ben Macdui,Derry Cairngorm	gunn690	30/09/2010	0	M3
2 Hikes, 1 Ride, 9 Peaks, (21-9), 17th to 21st September	Mark Berry	21/09/2010	0	M9
No longer a "gorms virgin"	gammy leg walker	12/09/2010	0	M2
If Carlsberg did sunny days for a mountain walk....	weescotsman	30/08/2010	0	M2
Video/Photo montage of Awesome 4 Day Cairngorm Hike	Michael Cook	18/08/2010	0	M8
cairngorm overnighter	madrock289	17/06/2010	0	M3
Ben Macdui	tmobyrne	23/01/2010	0	M2
Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui	weemistermac	11/10/2009	0	M2
Ben Macdui	HighlandSC	29/08/2009	0	M1
Ben Macdui and Cairngorm	bio-man	05/05/2009	0	M2
Macdui/Derry Cairngorm round	benno	22/11/2008	0	M4
Ben Macdui (North) Beinn Mheadhoin, Cairn Gorm	Myth	02/06/2008	0	M3
Winter Beinn MacDuibh (MacDui)	mountain coward	15/02/2008	0	M1
Ben MacDhui - October	Border Reiver	06/10/2002	0	M1
Four Cairngorm Munros in a day from Deeside	Border Reiver	09/07/1997	0	M4
Both sides of the Lairig Ghru	Benaden887	12/06/1993	0	M7