Walks | North-East
Cairn a'Mhaim - Ben MacDui
Start: Linn O'Dee Car Park
Description: Long walk up two of Scotland's highest mountains.
OS Map: #36 Grantown & Aviemore,
#43 Braemar & Blair Atholl
Multimap: Online Map
This is a serious walk, taking in a ridge with some steep drops off either side, and up Scotland's second highest mountain Ben MacDui. This should not be taken lightly and anyone attempting the walk should carry all neccessary equipment with them. Note that mobile phone reception is poor in this area, even on the high tops. This route of approximately 15 miles can take up anything from 6-10 hours depending on conditions and fitness.
Starting from the Linn O'Dee car park, follow the path out through the trees at the back of the car park, and up onto the land rover track to Derry Lodge. Time can be saved by biking to this point, in which case it is easier to leave the car park and continue about 100 yards along the road towards Linn O'Quoich and turning left up the land rover track to avoid climbing over the steps on the path. Derry Lodge is also a popular wild camp ground for those wishing to make a longer trip out of their walk.
Cross the footbridge and head West across some marshy land onto the well maintained path towards Glen Luibeg and the Lairig Ghru. Pick your way across the stream, or take the 10 minutes to walk up to the bridge and back down to the path. Soon after leaving the stream a faint path strikes straight up the slopes to the North. Follow this steep path up the southern flank of Cairn a'Mhaim. As the gradient eases the path takes a Westerly route around the first top of the hill, winding through the rocky outcrops and joining the ridge just before the summit, which is marked by the ubiquitous cairn. One Munro down, a much bigger one to go.
In mist this section of the hill can seem quite mysterious as the rocks on either side of the path can look like some prehistoric back bone. Follow the ridge for nearly 2 miles along the hill, enjoying the airy views down into the glens on either side, across the Lairig Ghru towards Cairn Toul and the rest of the Cairngorm range, and North to Ben MacDui. From here the hill seems huge in comparison.
Eventually the ridge drops to a wide col at the top of Glen Luibeg, and from here begins a steep and tiring climb up through the "Asteroid Belt" of rocks up the flank of Ben MacDui. It's worth looking back along the ridge from here, as it seems even more impressive from this Northern viewpoint. The best bet is to try to head East directly up the slope and get out of the rocks as soon as possible before heading North up onto the wide domed summit. Many small paths lead up to the large summit cairn and viewpoint, which was of no use to me as we could barely see out hands in front of our faces for the cloud!
From the top, you can head back down the Asteroid Belt and drop into Glen Luibeg by following the burn to Luibeg Bridge. Or follow the ridge south to Sron Riach and drop off nearer to the bridge. Or if time allows, follow the curve of the Southern coire round to the East and up onto Derry Cairngorm, so picking off another Munro. Taking this route passes by Loch Etchachan, the highest body of water of it's size in the country. Once on Derry Cairngorm's stoney summit the route slowly drops to the South on a warn path before dropping to the track by Derry Lodge.
No matter which route you decide on, eventually you must come back to Derry Lodge, and from here make your way back down the land rover track to Linn O'Dee.
I've since done this route in the opposite direction (Derry C - Ben MacDui - Cairn a'Mhaim) and find this a preferable direction to tackle the route.