Lairig Ghru Northwards (Linn of Dee to Coylumbridge) Part 1

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
32.2 kms	09:00 (hrs:mins)	455 metres	Explorer 403: Cairn Gorm & Aviemore

Description

The start of the Lairig Ghru at Linn of Dee

The Lairig Ghru is possibly the best known high level pass in Scotland and has a long history as a key cattle droving route between Speyside and Deeside. The steep-sided pass cuts north/south through the Cairngorm Plateau and provides a spectacular route with 4000 foot peaks towering above on both sides.

At both ends the route passes through pine forests and moorland but in the pass itself there is no shelter and no escape route so go well prepared. It's also worth bearing in mind that the pass climbs to around 830 metres - near the Pools of Dee - (higher than many UK hills) so this walk is not for the inexperienced or ill-prepared.

From the Linn of Dee the route heads north-west along the flat Glen Lui, past Derry Lodge and on through Glen Luibeg, before climbing over the shoulder of Carn a' Mhaim to reach the southern end of the Lairig. There's a walkers bothy (Corrour Bothy) at the foot of the Devil's Point (Bod an Deamhain in Gaelic), which is a good resting point or overnight stopover if it's not too busy.

A good path leads most of the way through the pass, except for a short section at the high point around Pools of Dee where some boulder-hopping is required. Towering above the pass on the east is Ben Macdui 1,309m, Scotland's second highest peak, while on the west are Braeriach 1,296m, Cairn Toul 1,291m and Angel's Peak (in Gaelic Sgor an Lochan Uaine - Peak of the Green Lochan) 1,258m, Scotland's third, fourth and fifth highest peaks respectively.

As you pass Braeriach on your left and Lurcher's Crag on your right, the steep-sided pass gives way to open heather and grass moorland before dropping down to the pine forest of Rothiemurchus. Very good paths in the Rothiemurchus Estate make easy walking to the campsite at Coylumbridge.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need walk Lairig Ghru Northwards Part 2 (Linn of Dee to Colyumbridge) for Part 2 of this walk.

Access Info

This is a one-way walk, so transport is required at both ends of the route. The walk starts at the large, well-made car park at Linn of Dee, about 9km west of Braemar.

The finish is by the large campsite at Coylumbridge, 3km south-east of Aviemore; limited roadside parking is available immediately at the end of the route.