Time taken: 6 hrs (with many stops!) Ascent : 860m/2,821 feet Distance: 12km/7 miles
Rating: 5 star
After grandparent duties, we had the next day to ourselves and the forecast was set fair (as it has been, largely for so long now!)Something simple but lovely appealed, not too long a walk and – as we were passing Aviemore heading south – Cairngorm and a round of the Northern Corries appealed.
Stopped off at Tesco to buy sandwiches then drove up to the ski centre on a very calm morning.Headed up Windy Ridge on its excellent path, like a stone staircase though the first 15 mins is quite a stiff pull up and had us puffing. I was about to take a photo when I realised I’d forgotten my camera, the first time I’ve ever done that.Ah well, the mobile would have to do though apologies for too many quite grainy shots.
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
We’ve been up here many times before but somehow, it never loses its appeal despite the ski paraphernalia all around.The views over to the Northern Corries over the heather moorland is just gorgeous.Maybe not quite at its best for colour in late April but still a great landscape.
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
It took us about an hour to reach the Ptarmigan restaurant and I was relieved to see that the funicular was running and the cafe was open.There’s something really nice about being able to call in for a cuppa after a bit of effort and get a comfy seat high up a mountain!
From the Ptarmigan restaurant by Anne C, on Flickr
Quite a few people were already there who’d come off the train but of course they aren’t allowed to leave the restaurant area.Walkers enter by another door and sign in and out – it’s all tightly controlled.
The path is excellent from the Ptarmigan to the summit, a series of shallow steps with ropes lining each side, all designed to discourage walkers from straying onto the delicate sub Arctic tundra terrain which is now recovering.
Cairngorm final 20 mins to summit by Anne C, on Flickr
We were looking out for real Ptarmigan – the high mountain birds which we’ve seen here before but no joy today.
A few other people were on Cairngorm summit, including what looked like a guided group.Found a seat on a boulder and admired the fine view over to Beinn Mheadhoin and Loch Etchachan and Derry Cairngorm. Beinn Avon and Beinn a Bhuiridh were visible too as was Lochnagar -clarity was really good.I never get tired of that view into the remoter regions.
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
Loch Etchachan…
To Loch Etchachan by Anne C, on Flickr
Down we headed off the summit on an excellent path, the pink rock everywhere confirming the area’s Gaelic name- the Monadh Ruadh, the Red Hills.Along with the blue-ish green rock referred to in the word Cairngorm, perhaps that’s one reason this mountain area always looks so especially colourful.
The last time we were here, the mountains were covered in hard snow and ice and we didn’t complete the round as my micro spikes just weren’t up to it at all and stupidly, we hadn’t brought crampons.I’m smiling in the photo below but I soon wasn’t!
Above the Northern Corries by Anne C, on Flickr
Towards Braeriach by Anne C, on Flickr
It was a very unpleasant descent down Fiacaill a Choire Chas.I remember a winter skills group from Glenmore Lodge was ascending the same route, fully geared up with crampons and ice axes.As I slithered and crept my way down, I was a perfect example of how NOT to tackle the mountains in mid winter! Very embarrassing.
The Northern Corries by Anne C, on Flickr
Looking back to Cairngorm summit…
Looking back to Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
Nothing like that today, the path was clear and very dry and we followed it round to Stob Coire an t-Sneachda where we had a longer stop for a sandwich and a general admire of the great cliffs below us.There was also a Snow Bunting calling -my bird App picked it up but we couldn’t see it at all amongst the bouldery terrain.We’ve often seen them at the ski centre car park.A prize if anyone can spot it in this photo
…it’s there somewhere!
Looking for a Snow Bunting! by Anne C, on Flickr
Cairn Toul and Angel’s Peak showing…just…
Cairn Toul and Angel’s Peak showing…just by Anne C, on Flickr
I was really keen to find a high viewpoint which looked onto Loch Avon.Chris reckoned that detouring across country towards the Feith Bhuidhe should give me what I was looking for as Loch Avon and its ring of crags must be one of the most sublime mountain vistas in the whole area.When my older son got his first flat, I bought him a Colin Prior print of Loch Avon in winter and had always wanted to find out (roughly) the high point from which it had been taken.
Coming off Stob Coire an t- Sneachda, the Peak of the Snowy Corrie, we detoured onto the Ben Macdui path instead of climbing up to Cairn Lochan. After 5 mins or so, we then headed off across country towards the Feith Buidhe (which may translate as the yellow deer meadow) but not going down as far as the river.Instead, we skirted a small outcrop and, following the best ground( easy, pleasant walking if the boulders were dodged) descended a little until the loch came into view.Chris then suggested going a bit further down again until we were on a spectacular spot.The map confirmed that we were now at the top of Hell’s Lum crag.All in, it had taken about 20 mins and no effort at all to this amazing viewpoint.
Viewpoint to Loch Avon below by Anne C, on Flickr
We now had a view straight down the loch, framed by the Shelter Stone crag and Beinn Mheadhoin. I think this was very close to the spot from which Colin Prior must have set up his own terrific shot.
Loch Avon below by Anne C, on Flickr
Loch Avon by Anne C, on Flickr
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
It’s a spot weve always wanted to return to, to camp so fingers crossed this summer we can manage that.I’d love to see sunrise breaking over the cliffs and the loch itself.Funnily enough, just the other day I watched a YouTube video by Chris Townsend who camped at the Feith Buidhe for that very purpose.Donkeys ages ago , on a Glenmore Lodge course, I did camp here but the clag was down all evening and worse the next day so our group never saw a thing.
After enjoying the view for some time, we headed back up to the top of the rocky area, then skirted the outcrop and headed for the Ben Macdui path.It made sense to just head straight uphill for 150m or so to regain Cairn Lochan, a bit of slog that seemed to go on forever. But finally, we saw the summit cairns of the next terrific viewpoint.
Cairn Lochan by Anne C, on Flickr
Another seat here and an admire of the cliffs plus the lochan itself.
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
We walked to the lochan last year, a couple of hours from the ski car park and a great walk to a very beautiful spot, I thought…
I remember thinking it was like a mini Loch Avon with the backdrop of crags…
Ptarmigan had been going about too.Always a thrill to see them…
Ptarmigan – male with red eye spot by Anne C, on Flickr
Cairn Lochan was stunning but time to head down…
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
Looking back to Cairn Lochan by Anne C, on Flickr
An excellent path all the way which joined up with the Ben Macdui return route.This took us pleasantly down Miadain ~Creag an Leth-choin opposite Lurchers’ Crag.
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
Heading down past the lochan by Anne C, on Flickr
Cairngorm by Anne C, on Flickr
Far to our left, some Reindeer were grazing but the phone camera didn’t pick them up.We’ve seen them often from this walk…the shot below was taken a couple of years back…
Just over an hour from Cairn Lochan summit , we were back at the ski centre.
Looking back towards our route down…
A beautiful hike in lovely country on excellent paths…each time I walk here, I love it even more. Gorgeous area.
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