Walk: Beinn Mheadhoin – wild heart of the Cairngorms

📌 Glenmore, Highland
★★★★

Separated from the nearest public road by the great glacial trough of Loch Avon, Beinn Mheadhoin is one of the most isolated summits in the northern Cairngorms, though the prominent granite tors sprinkled across its summit plateau can be seen from more accessible surrounding summits. This circuit technically only climbs a single hill, but two passes of over 1,100 metres in height also have to be scaled – one on the outward route, one on the return – with two steep descents to Loch Avon in between. As a result, it feels like you’re climbing three separate Munros. The route also passes the wonderful Shelter Stone at the head of Loch Avon; the alcove underneath this enormous, iconic boulder could become your overnight refuge in an emergency!

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at Cairngorm Mountain ski centre, 4 mi south of Glenmore Visitor Centre

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 989060

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.134793,-3.672414

🚌 Bus to Cairngorm Mountain ski centre

🚗 Car park (charge)

📝 Key info

▶ 18 km / 11 mi | ▲ 1390 m | ⌛ 7.5-8.5 hr

Features: ⛷️ Cairngorm Mountain ski centre ★★★ & funicular railway; 💧 Loch Avon; △ Beinn Mheadhoin (1192 m, Munro); 🪨 Shelter Stone

⬤ Tough | Often good paths, but also a few pathless sections on grass / tundra, plus a couple of rocky steps to negotiate.

➡️ Clockwise circuit with extension to Beinn Mheadhoin: start, Cairngorm Mountain ski centre & funicular railway – point 1141m above Coire Cas – head of Loch Avon via Coire Raibeirt – leave main path just northeast of Loch Etchachan – Beinn Mheadhoin – retrace steps towards head of Loch Avon – Shelter Stone – Coire Domhain – Coire an t-Sneachda – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Small birds, frogs, not much else!

Weather: Mostly sunny with some clouds around, a bit blustery. 19°C at glen level, low teens on the summits. A few snow patches remaining on Ben Macdui.

July 2024