Derry Cairngorm and Loch Etchachan from Linn of Dee

Mike Taylor

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From the NTS car park at Linn of Dee, good paths and tracks lead 5.5km along the flat and scenic Glen Lui to the start of the climb up Derry Cairngorm. A good path winds up Derry Cairngorm's steep south-east ridge, then a pleasant 4km ridge walk leads to the conical summit. The path eventually disappears into the boulder-field covering the summit. The summit has two cairns, not sure which is higher but the conical summit gives amazing views over the surrounding peaks, including Ben Macdui and Cairngorm. Beyond the summit boulders the path reappears and leads down to a col above Loch Etchachan. Two hundred metres of pathless descent joins another good path leading from Ben Macdui down to Loch Etchachan. From Loch Etchachan the path descends Coire Etchachan to meet the Lairig an Laoigh path in Glen Derry, which leads you back to Derry Lodge and the long walk out along Glen Lui.

Scotland - Northeast Scotland - Aberdeenshire - Cairngorms