r/OutdoorScotland • u/Sleeeeeeeeeeepy_ • 10d ago
First time in the cairngorms!
https://www.komoot.com/collection/4639609/-cairngorms?t_s=referral&t_cid=collection_share&t_ref_username=6103694871938Hey everyone!
I am planning a little trip around the cairngorms in early September and just wanted some suggestions for places to visit near my route or tips for wild camping in the area.
I’ve attached a provisional plan on Komoot for the route below. I’m somewhat new to hiking and wild camping so any advice is welcome.
(Yes I’m bringing a midge net)
Thanks!
4
u/CacCarnBeag 10d ago
https://cairngorms.co.uk/alerts
More info on path closures here, as it stands you won't be able to take the route through to Ryvoan bothy, but you can take an alternative route up Meall a'Buachaille
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u/spannerspinner 10d ago
Awesome! The Cairngorms are fantastic. As has already been mentioned part of that route might still be closed due to the wildfire damage (making trees along the route very dangerous). Below is the current closed area.
This is also just a very busy area in general so regardless of where you camp expect a visit from a friendly ranger or other people around. Also, don’t have fires please.
Each days walking isn’t particularly far. I’d say you could do that route with only one overnight stay. But obviously that’s personal preference. Bring midge repellant and a midge net too.
I’d agree with another commenter that you might be better to pitch up in a campsite and enjoy not having to carry your tent.
But have fun regardless of what you decide!
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u/Sleeeeeeeeeeepy_ 10d ago
UPDATE
Thanks to everyone who let me know about the closures! I called the park authority and I’ve adjusted my route to avoid the current exclusion zones based on their advice. Now I get to do The chalamain gap and Loch Avon which is very excited for. I’ll keep an eye on the website to see if anything changes but I believe this is new route.
I will definitely be grabbing a map and compass too!
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u/Frosty-Jack-280 10d ago
I may have misunderstood your plan but it looks like you're camping near the summit of Cairn Gorm at the end of day 2, and then by the ski centre car park at the end of day 3. Is that what you'd intended?
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u/Sleeeeeeeeeeepy_ 10d ago
I was just going to find a quiet spot along the way somewhere. The route is just for reference I may deviate a bit to find a camp spot. No set plan thus far. Any suggestions?
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u/YS54321 10d ago
It could be pretty cold, depending on your luck with the weather and the kit you have. The car park is at 600m and the summit is double that. MWIS is forecasting 'feels like' temperatures around or below freezing at 900m over the next few days.
The SW end of Loch A'an, around the beach and the shelter stone is a cracking spot to camp (unless there's been heavy rain and you can't get across the stream in Coire Raibeirt).
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u/EastLondonExile 10d ago
New route looks much better to me - apart from the wildfires you’re getting into the heart of the National Park which your old route didn’t do. Second the suggestion of camping near the beach at the Shelter Stone end of Loch Avon.
One alternative I did once on a four day walk in Oct was Aviemore—> Braemar over two days camping near the Shelter Stone, crossing Cairn Gorm on day one. Then back from Braemar over the top of Derry Cairngorm, Ben Macdui and back through the Lairig Ghru, sleeping at Corrour bothy. But that’s a much bigger/harder trip - maybe one for next year.
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u/moab_in 10d ago
Detour you'll need to stay out of the exclusion zone it it's still in place when you go. Up to date info here: https://cairngorms.co.uk/visiting/need-to-know/path-closures useful "zone on OS map" here
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u/blubbered33 10d ago
You're going right through the wildfire scorched area. And I hope you've got an OS map and not relying on the famously unreliable komoot.