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

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
32 kms	09:00 (hrs:mins)	595 metres	Explorer 403: Cairn Gorm & Aviemore

Description

From Coylumbridge, very good paths in the Rothiemurchus Estate make easy walking as you climb up through pine forest and moorland to reach the entrance of the Lairig Ghru. 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 1,258m, Scotland's third, fourth and fifth highest peaks respectively.

As you enter the pass, Braeriach rises on your right and the cliffs of Lurcher's Crag tower on your left. 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. At the southern end of the pass, the route passes through moorland and pinewoods as it swings east over the shoulder of Carn a' Mhaim and drops into Glen Luibeg, before passing Derry Lodge and on down Glen Lui to the large car park at Linn of Dee.

PLEASE NOTE: You will also need walk Lairig Ghru Southwards Part 2 (Colyumbridge to Linn of Dee) 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 beside the large campsite at Coylumbridge, 3km south-east of Aviemore; limited roadside parking is available on the B970 just outside the campsite. The finish is at the large, well-made car park at Linn of Dee, about 9km west of Braemar.