Cairn Gorm and Beinn Mheadhoin

Mike Taylor

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Cairn Gorm is probably the best-known and most accessible peak of the Cairngorms. Beinn Mheadhoin (pronounced 'Byn Vee-an'), by comparison, is a much more remote mountain located in the heart of the range, its Gaelic name meaning Middle Hill. Although the summits are only 3km apart, they are separated by a drop of more than 500 metres into the narrow gorge containing the breathtaking Loch Avon (pronounced 'Loch A'an').

At the west end of the loch is a beautiful sandy beach, a wonderful place to take a break and enjoy the beauty and stillness of this place before the stiff climb to Beinn Mheadhoin. This mountain presents an extra challenge as its summit is actually on top of a high granite tor, but what a viewpoint!

All that hard-gained height has to be given away yet again as the return route drops to the east end of the loch, where a river crossing leads to the final climb over the eastern slopes of Cairn Gorm to The Ptarmigan Restaurant, then it is all downhill to the car park.

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Cairngorms

Features

Cafe, Gift Shop, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mountains, Munro, Toilets, Wildlife
10/29/2017 - Mike Taylor

I eventually returned to Cairngorm this week. Happy to say the red telephone box is still there, the number is 01479 861 209 but no longer in service, it displays a “not commissioned” message when you lift the handset. The box is slightly obscured by some shrubbery but is located by the gate leading from the all abilities trail into the mountain garden. The footpath to the ridge is directly opposite, it has been upgraded since I documented the walk and now has a large sign post saying Windy Ridge Path.

6/27/2017 - Colin Young

I only did a bit of this - hence the grading of 3! The red telephone box is no longer there - it had the iconic phone number of Cairngorm 100 if I recall correctly! I took a less challenging ascent by going up the Coire Chais trail which is signed to the right of the mountain garden behind the ski lodge. This leads through the ski fences to a vehicle track. After a sharp left hand bend - you take the stone built walking trail going off on the right. This leads to the Fiacaill of Choire Chais. From there you have the Cairngorm track on your left, the Coire Raibiert track ahead and the northern corries trail curving off to the right. I only went as far as the steep descent to Loch Avon but returned via the summit of Cairngorm - and as it was wet windy and foggy- too the train down!