📌 Cairnwell Hills, Aberdeenshire
★★★
The group of Munros scattered either side of the Cairnwell Pass are marred by the lift towers and fence lines of Glenshee Ski Centre. However, a starting altitude of 650 metres above sea level makes them some of the quickest Munro ascents in Scotland in good conditions. Adding on Carn a’ Gheòidh escapes the pylons and pistes, with excellent views far into the wild southern Cairngorms.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Heading up the tow track towards Carn Aosda 
Carn Aosda 
Carn Aosda summit 
Looking north 
Ski run signposting 
Loch Vrotachan 
Ptarmigan with a poorly-chosen nest site 
View back along the ridge to The Cairnwell from Carn nan Sac 
Snow patches & distant Carn Aosda 
A better nesting site 
Glas Tulaichean from Carn a’ Gheòidh 
Allt a’ Choire Dhirich en route to The Cairnwell 
Approach to The Cairnwell 
Cairnwell ski tow 
Cairnwell chairlift (now upgraded) 
The Cairnwell summit 
View north to Carn Aosda 
Carn Aosda & the ski centre lift base 
Cairnwell chairlift from the descent 
Carn Aosda from the descent 
Red deer near the car park
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Glenshee Ski Centre, A93 5 mi north of Spittal of Glenshee
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 139782
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.887581,-3.415442
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park (charge)
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 600 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr
Features: ⛷️ Glenshee Ski Centre ★★★★; △ Carn Aosda (917 m, Munro); △ Carn a’ Gheòidh (975 m, Munro); △ The Cairnwell (933 m, Munro)
⬤ Tough | Steep, stony track to Carn Aosda, then paths and tracks to Carn a’ Gheòidh, intermittent in places. Track or more direct, steeper path to The Cairnwell, then pathless descent on grass to start.
Download file for GPS➡️ Irregular walk shape: start & Glenshee Ski Centre – Carn Aosda – 808m spot height southeast of Loch Vrotachan – Carn nan Sac – Carn a’ Gheòidh – return to 808m point, bypassing Carn nan Sac – The Cairnwell – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Several red deer near the start; a few nesting ptarmigan towards Carn a’ Gheòidh.
Weather: Mostly cloudy at the start but sunshine increasingly breaking through; about 10°C, moderate winds.
May 2014
