Corbett · Cairngorms
Morrone
Morrone (often written Morven on older maps) is Braemar's own hill — the conspicuous wooded dome rising straight out of the village to a broad rocky summit at 859m. It carries a small relay mast and one of the most photographed Cairngorm panoramas in the country, with the full sweep of Lochnagar, Beinn a' Bhuird, Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul laid out across the Dee. The lower slopes hold the most extensive juniper scrub woodland in Britain, designated a National Nature Reserve.
Quick facts
- Height
- 859.5m/ 2820ft
- Prominence
- 158 m
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 480 m
- Time
- 2–3 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO132886
- Parking
- NO148915
- Nearest
- Dundee· Inverness 73km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
juniper wood 25% · flagstone path 35% · rebuilt zig-zags 30% · summit area 10%
Walk from the centre of Braemar to the duck pond and the start of the NNR path, then climb the well-built engineered track through the juniper wood and onto the open hill. A rebuilt stone path zig-zags up the steeper upper section to the summit. Total distance only 6km return with around 480m of ascent for the direct route, or a 12km circuit with 650m if descending via Glen Clunie. One of the friendliest Corbetts in the country.
Terrain
One of the best built paths in the Cairngorms — flagstoned, well drained and clearly waymarked from start to summit. The juniper sections are mature and atmospheric in any weather. The upper rebuilt path is steep but never exposed; the summit is a broad stony top with the relay mast as an unmistakable landmark. No technical ground anywhere.
In winter
A reliable winter Corbett with one of the most accessible summit views of the snow-clad Cairngorm plateau. The path is usually walkable with sturdy boots; deep snow can fill the upper zig-zags and turn it into a steady winter walk needing axe and crampons. The Braemar lay-by is gritted and easily reached year-round. The mast at the top is a useful landmark in mist or snow.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 52m
- Edinburgh2h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 43
Mobile signal: Reliable signal in Braemar; usable on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 22:00
- Civil dawn
- 03:38
- Civil dusk
- 23:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Morrone.
Around Morrone on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Aviemore station
Cairngorm plateau; Lairig Ghru; Speyside Way; Glenmore
34km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Ballater
Eastern Cairngorms / Royal Deeside
25km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Royal Lochnagar
Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting
14km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Morrone — common questions
- How difficult is Morrone?
- Morrone carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 6km, 480m of ascent and a 2-3 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: One of the best built paths in the Cairngorms — flagstoned, well drained and clearly waymarked from start to summit.
- How much drop does Morrone have?
- The drop is 158m: measured from the summit of Morrone down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Morrone?
- Park at NO148915 near Dundee. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Morrone?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Morrone. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Morrone?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Morrone?
- Reliable signal in Braemar; usable on the summit
- Is Morrone safe in winter?
- A reliable winter Corbett with one of the most accessible summit views of the snow-clad Cairngorm plateau. The path is usually walkable with sturdy boots; deep snow can fill the upper zig-zags and turn it into a steady winter walk needing axe and crampons. The Braemar lay-by is gritted and easily reached year-round. The mast at the top is a useful landmark in mist or snow.
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