Graham · Cairngorms
Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan
Quiet Graham in the Findhorn hills north of the Cairngorms. Long approaches and rolling moorland make this one for solitude-seekers, with red grouse and golden plover for company on the way to the cairn of the three lairds.
Quick facts
- Height
- 614.8m/ 2017ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 500 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NH829347
- Parking
- NH779225
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
estate track 30% · bog and heather 45% · grassy plateau 15% · summit area 10%
Long walk from the dead-end road in Strathdearn. Pathless heather and peat hags lead eventually to the summit cairn. Best tackled when the ground is dry or frozen; in wet weather the upper moss between burns becomes hard work.
Terrain
Pathless throughout. Heather, peat hags, no obvious line. Compass essential in cloud.
In winter
Easier going on frozen ground than in summer. Whiteout navigation territory.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 35m
- Edinburgh4h 35m
OS maps: OS Explorer OL56
Mobile signal: No signal in this remote Monadhliath area
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Inverness station
Highland capital — Cairngorms east side, Affric, Far North via bus/car
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Inverness
Highland capital — gateway to Cairngorms, Affric, Far North
15km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tomatin
Tomatin — large Highland distillery just off the A9, south of Inverness
10km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan — common questions
- How hard is Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 500m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Pathless throughout.
- Where do I park for Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Standard parking is at NH779225 near Inverness. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan are April, May, June, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan?
- No signal in this remote Monadhliath area
- Is Carn nan Tri-Tighearnan safe in winter?
- Easier going on frozen ground than in summer. Whiteout navigation territory.