What mountains are in the Cairngorms? Cairngorms Holiday Cottages offer luxury holiday cottages in Speyside And Cairngorms. Find out more about the mountains you can view while in the Cairngorms National Park and the best Cairngorms mountains to climb.
What mountains are in the Cairngorms?
The Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK and is home to some of the highest mountains in the UK too.
They form part of The Grampian Mountain range, or Am Monadh in Scottish Gaelic, which stretches from southwest to northeast Scotland, covering almost half of the country's land area.
Alongside The Cairngorms range, the Grampians also include the two tallest mountains in the British Isles: Ben Nevis at 1,345m and Ben Macdui at 1309m above sea level, the latter being found in the Cairngorms park itself.
To give them their proper name, Am Monadh Ruadh, or "The Red Mountains", The Cairngorms are possibly one of the most famous mountain ranges in the UK and certainly one of the most popular for visitors and hikers.
The Gaelic name comes from the red and pink granite tors that dominate the Cairngorm's features. When the giant glaciers retreated from the area at the end of the last ice age, this stunning granite was revealed, free from any soil and plant life to lord over the landscape.
However, today the granite has been dulled and rounded by centuries of frost and snow, allowing all manner of vegetation and wildlife to flourish in one of the most rugged natural landscapes in the UK.
The giant plateau forms the UK's largest area of high ground, meaning incredibly low winter temperatures and mild summers. The local weather is also unpredictable, thanks to the huge Cairngorm mountains that the strong winds swirl around.
The mountain range is as dangerous for hikers as it is beautiful to experience, which is potentially why the region inspired romantic poets such as Lord Byron and others.
Winter avalanches and summer floods are incredibly common, with deep pockets of frost settling in the bowls of the plunging valleys and strong winds battering the highest peaks during serious storms.
The Cairngorms is the best example the UK has to offer when it comes to dramatic, arctic environments, both in terms of climate and geomorphology. Given this, it is of significant importance for national and continental research.
Best Cairngorms mountains to Climb
While The Cairngorms mountain range has notoriously hazardous weather, conquering its peaks is a challenge no hiker, climber or mountaineer can ignore.
The region is home to the Scottish Munros, which are Scottish mountains above 914.4m in height, and "Munro bagging" is a climbing accolade only the bravest and most dedicated hill walkers can achieve.
If you feel like you're up to the challenge, climbing any of the peaks in The Cairngorms is a trophy worth having. Therefore, we've listed here some of the best mountains intrepid climbers can attempt in The Cairngorms.
Cairn Gorm
Cairn Gorm is the summit most visible when viewing the region from the Speyside end. It is because of this that the region is named for this imposing mountain.
An enticing challenge for climbers, standing at 1,245m (the sixth-highest in the UK), it is an objective most will have on their bucket lists. You'll find The Cairngorm Mountain ski and snowboarding station on its northern slopes, alongside a funicular railway that rises to the highest restaurant in the UK, The Ptarmigan.
Despite the mountain's significant elevation, the car park leading to the climbing paths is relatively high, making it one of the easier Cairngorm Munros for climbers to bag. For more adventurous climbers and hikers, the Grade II scramble of Fiacaill Ridge over to the west is the best way to ascend.
Ben Macdui
Bested only by the mighty Ben Nevis, Ben Macdui is the second-highest point in the UK at 1,309m at the summit. However, it's well worth the effort to reach the top, given the otherworldly views of The Cairngorms mountain range you'll find there. You can attempt the ascent from the River Dee or Glen Avon approaches, but it is easiest to set off from Glen Feshie.
Watch out for the Old Grey Man - a wraith said to haunt the peak of the mountain. Given its height, we do not recommend inexperienced climbers attempt Ben Macdui in bad weather. The National Park Authority suggests all climbers should take extra care and prepare for all eventualities before attempting the climb.
Lochnagar
Named for the small loch, or "lochan", that sits like a bright sapphire in the steep sides of its corrie, Lochnagar is most famous for the sheer cliffs that rise to its piercing summit. Among many in The Cairngorms national park, this much celebrated and truly impressive Munro peak also belongs to the royal Balmoral Estate.
Càrn Aosda
One of the easiest Cairngorm Munros to conquer, you can achieve the ascent up Càrn Aosda relatively quickly. The fastest route to the summit follows the tracks that lead from the ski centre, while those looking for more of a challenge can attempt the northern route along the Carn Chrionaidh ridge.
Glas Maol
Glas Maol is the highest of the four Munros in the natural circuit to which it belongs, standing at 1,068m. You can find this peak to the east of the Glenshee Skiing CEntre, with a famous trig pillar and storm shelter located at its summit.
The Cairnwell
When approaching straight from the pass, The Cairnwell is one of the quickest Munros to scale. While the road beneath the mountain and the Glenshee ski centre on its slopes may be more notable than the summit's viewpoint, it's worth scaling as an introduction to the quickest Munros to climb. For the really good views, once you've negotiated the ski resort, head over towards Càrn nan Sac and Carn a'Gheoidh.
Sgòr Gaoith
Reaching the summit of Sgòr Gaoith is a real surprise for ambitious climbers. Standing at 1,118m, the Munro boasts stunning views across Braeriach when the weather is fine. The dramatic cliffs to the east of the mountain fall steeply down to Loch Einich, all of which are hidden from view as you ascend before being suddenly revealed as you reach the western edge of the summit.
Creag Bheag
There is an easy loop up to the top of Creag Bheag from the nearby town of Kingussie, a popular hike for visitors. You can find a number of cairns on your way to the top, with the actual summit signified by a trig pillar on the southwest side of the mountain.
Meall a’ Bhuachaille
This Munro can be accessed from the range of campsites in the area, offering you an afternoon of scaling mountains and an evening of strolls in the countryside.
Braeriach
The third-highest mountain in Britain, Braeriach is one of the most expansive and isolated Munro in The Cairngorms. Approaching the mountain is difficult from any direction, as it is guarded by a series of steep cliffs and deep corries. Climbers wanted to bag this Munro must be dedicated to the challenge, as it will take you a while. Luckily, there are several Cairngorm Munros in the vicinity, so with a little effort, you bag up to three at once during a weekend of hiking.
Again, a Munro is a Scottish mountain at least 914.4m (3,000ft) high at the summit. There are 282 Munros in the whole of Scotland, with 50 of them located in The Cairngorms national park.
Bagging the best Munros has proven to be a popular hobby amongst hikers and climbers throughout the world. Bagging every Munro in The Cairngorms is a significant achievement and one that can take you on a years-long journey to discover some of the most fantastic natural scenery the Scottish Highlands has to offer.
Sir Hugh Munro is the man who gave his name to this series of mountains after he first proposed to list all those above 3,000ft back in the late 1800s.
However, modern technology revealed he had been a little overzealous, including a few that didn't quite measure up, but the current number of 282 Munro summits is accurate.
When it comes to peaks in The Cairngorms, Ben Macdui is the champion of them all. Again, it is Britain's second-highest mountain after Ben Nevis, standing at an impressive 4,295ft. With such a high peak, the views from Ben Macdui are unbelievably beautiful, offering sweeping vistas of the entire Cairngorms national park.
The mountain is complete with a gigantic cairn and trig point, along with an indicator that tells you the names of the other peaks you can see from the summit when the weather is fine.
Summiting both Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui simultaneously is one of the most iconic Munro pairings in The Cairngorms. All-in-all, the hike covers 11 miles if you start from the Cairngorm Mountain Resort.
Sticking to the footpaths for the ascent and descent is the best idea for inexperienced climbers, as the wilderness plateau can often be incredibly difficult to navigate in poor weather conditions.
However, if you master the challenge and make your way through the awe-inspiring landscape, you'll unlock some truly spectacular views of the Cairngorms plateau. The two mountains also offer fantastic skiing opportunities during the cold winter months when the snow is heavy and thick.
The easiest Munro to bag is The Cairnwell. Even for the most amateur hiker, The Cairnwell as Glenshee stands just 918ft from start to finish, making it one of the easiest ascents to make.
Alongside the other Munros nearby, Carn Aosda and Carn a' Gheoidh, you can easily summit all three in a single day. This trio of surrounding mountains is typically the best place to start your Munro journey, especially if you're unfamiliar with climbing mountains.
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