Highlight • Summit
Cairn Gorm Summit
Hiking
5.0
(321)
Mountaineering
5.0
(10)
Crucially, you can be given a leg-up by the car park at the skiers’ base station, which sits at about 1,900 feet (590 m). This is a short drive, or bus journey, from Aviemore’s many amenities. From the base station, a funicular railway climbs up to the Ptarmigan restaurant at 3,599 feet (1,097 m). Don’t get any ideas though, as hiking from the restaurant is not permitted.
An accessible giant boasting tremendous views of the Cairngorm wilderness
Many walking routes to Cairn Gorm start from the base station and either ascend the Fiacaill a Coire Cas ridge alongside the ski paraphernalia or stride out west towards the wilder Northern Corries. Scrambles of all grades can be found on the glorious cliffs and ridges of the Northern Corries and it feels a world away from the manicured ski slopes.
Once you gain the plateau, it is quite an easy walk to the shallow domed summit, where you’ll find an automated weather station. The view across the vastness of the Cairngorm plateau towards tor-topped Beinn Mheadhoin and the giants of Ben Macdui and Braeriach is awesome. To the north west, the Monadh Liath rise in gentle waves beyond Aviemore.
The Cairngorms experience the UK’s most severe conditions in winter. In fact, the highest wind speed ever recorded on British soil was recorded at 173 mph on Cairn Gorm summit in March 1986. Suffice to say, the high Cairngorms are the preserve of experienced mountaineers in winter conditions.
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Tips
June 23, 2022
Hiking
July 21, 2019
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Cairn Gorm Summit
4.8
(185)
943
hikers
11.4km
04:31
730m
730m
Embark on the Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries Trail, a challenging hike that takes you through dramatic scenery and varied terrain in Cairngorms National Park. This difficult route covers 7.1 miles (11.4 km) and involves a significant elevation gain of 2389 feet (728 metres), typically requiring about 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete. As you ascend, you'll experience paths that sometimes disappear on the plateau, leading to glorious views across the vast mountain range, including the Rothiemurchus forest, and sensational vistas down into the corries.
Planning your visit requires careful consideration, as this trail is highly exposed, and weather conditions at the summit can be extremely difficult, with high winds being common. A good to very good level of fitness is essential for this hike. In winter, the difficulty escalates significantly, demanding exceptional navigational skills, an ice-axe, and crampons due to avalanche risks and obscured cliff edges. Always check the forecast and be prepared for rapid changes in conditions.
From the Cairn Gorm Summit, you are rewarded with impressive 360-degree views of the Scottish Highlands, where mountain ridges intertwine into the horizon. This alpine semi-tundra habitat is unique, and you might even spot patches of snow year-round. The route is best suited for experienced hillwalkers who are comfortable with demanding conditions and navigating in potentially challenging environments.
4.9
(46)
256
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20.0km
08:10
1,190m
1,190m
Hike a difficult 12.4-mile loop to Ben Macdui, Loch Avon, and Cairngorm from the Ski Centre, offering stunning views in Cairngorms National
5.0
(3)
51
hikers
21.1km
08:59
1,480m
1,480m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Details
Informations
Elevation 1,290 m
Good to know
Family Friendly
yes
Wheelchair access
no
Dog Friendly
yes
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Friday 19 June
13°C
6°C
12 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h
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