Cairn Toul and Braeriach Traverse | The hardest day in the Cairngorms

Описание: Cairn Toul and Braeriach Traverse | The hardest day in the Cairngorms?

The Cairn Toul and Braeriach traverse is widely considered one of the "big three" expeditions in the Cairngorms. It takes you across the western massif, encircling the massive, glacier-carved An Garbh Choire.

This is an arduous, high-level route that covers the 3rd and 4th highest peaks in the UK.

📊 Quick Stats (Sugar Bowl Loop)
Distance: ~36km (22.5 miles)

Total Ascent: ~1,850m (6,070ft)

Time: 10–13 hours (highly dependent on fitness and boulder-hopping speed)

Difficulty: Strenuous. Requires excellent navigation and "boulder-leg" endurance.

⛰️ The 4 Munros Involved
Most hikers complete this traverse by bagging these four peaks in a massive horseshoe:

The Devil’s Point (1,004m): A sharp, prominent peak with the best views down the Lairig Ghru.

Cairn Toul (1,291m): The 4th highest mountain in the UK; a massive, rocky pyramid.

Sgòr an Lochain Uaine (1,258m): Also known as The Angel’s Peak, sitting above a stunning high-altitude lochan.

Braeriach (1,296m): The 3rd highest mountain in the UK and the climax of the ridge.

🗺️ The Standard Route: From the Sugar Bowl
This is the most popular way to do it in a single (very long) day.

Stage 1: The Chalamain Gap Start at the Sugar Bowl car park (on the road to the Cairngorm Ski Centre). You’ll head through the Chalamain Gap, a narrow, boulder-filled cleft.

Note: This is a "leg-breaker." Take your time on the unstable rocks.

Stage 2: The Lairig Ghru & Corrour Bothy Drop down from the Gap into the Lairig Ghru (the most famous mountain pass in Scotland). Follow the path south until you reach Corrour Bothy. This is a great spot for a final "real" rest before the big climb.

Stage 3: The Big Climb & The Ridge From the bothy, take the steep zig-zag path up to The Devil’s Point. Once on the plateau, the navigation becomes simpler in good weather: follow the rim of the corries clockwise. You will summit Cairn Toul, then Sgòr an Lochain Uaine, and finally the massive plateau of Braeriach.

Stage 4: The Long Walk Home From Braeriach, you descend north/north-east back toward the Lairig Ghru. You'll eventually rejoin your outward path and have to climb back up through the Chalamain Gap—a mentally tough finish to a long day.

⚠️ Essential Tips
Navigation: The plateau is notorious for "whiteouts" and low cloud. Even in summer, the terrain is featureless. You must be confident with a map and compass; GPS is a backup.

Boulder Fields: Cairn Toul is essentially a giant pile of granite. It is slow going. Don't expect to maintain your usual walking pace here.

Water: There are plenty of burns in the Lairig Ghru, but water is scarce once you are up on the high plateau. Fill up at the Wells of Dee near the summit of Braeriach if needed.

The "Linn of Dee" Alternative: If you prefer a southern start, you can bike from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge, then walk into Corrour. This avoids the Chalamain Gap but adds significant distance.

Would you like me to create a gear checklist specifically for a long-distance Cairngorm traverse like this?

Route Description on

Walkhighlands

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairn...

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