Is Creagan a' Chaise a hard climb?

Creagan a' Chaise is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 592m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Heather and grouse moor for the lower slopes, then short bilberry and grass.

How prominent is Creagan a' Chaise?

Creagan a' Chaise has 330m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Creagan a' Chaise?

Standard parking is at NJ092174. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Creagan a' Chaise?

The standard good-weather months for Creagan a' Chaise are April, May, June, July, August, 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 Creagan a' Chaise?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Alan Hodgson / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Cairngorms

Creagan a' Chaise

The high point of the Cromdale Hills above Grantown-on-Spey, topped by a substantial cairn raised for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. A rolling Speyside whaleback with vast views across the Cairngorms.

Quick facts

Height: 722.1m/ 2369ft
Prominence: 330 m
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 592 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NJ104241
Parking: NJ092174
Nearest city: Inverness· 48km
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

moorland track 30% · heather moorland 45% · grassy upper slopes 15% · summit area 10%

13km · 592m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Park at Bridge of Brown on the A939. Follow the estate track north onto the open hill and climb the broad south-west ridge directly to the cairn. Easy walking throughout on sheep-cropped ground.

Terrain

Heather and grouse moor for the lower slopes, then short bilberry and grass. The summit plateau is grazed close — fast walking. A few peat hags below the ridge.

In winter

Cromdale gets reliable Speyside snow from December. The summit is exposed to easterlies straight off the Cairngorms.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Creagan a' Chaise. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 12m
Edinburgh3h 54m

Parking: NJ092174

OS maps: OS Landranger 36

Mobile signal: Reception across the Cromdale ridge; reliable for Speyside hills

Current conditions

Daylight Today

17h 06mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:33
Sunset: 21:05
Civil dawn: 04:46
Civil dusk: 21:52

NOAA Solar Calculator · 12 August 2026

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Around Creagan a' Chaise on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Aviemore station

Cairngorm plateau; Lairig Ghru; Speyside Way; Glenmore

23km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Aviemore

Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train

23km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Tomintoul

Tomintoul village — the gentle Speysider in the eastern Cairngorms

9km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Creagan a' Chaise — common questions

Is Creagan a' Chaise a hard climb?: Creagan a' Chaise is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 592m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Heather and grouse moor for the lower slopes, then short bilberry and grass.
How prominent is Creagan a' Chaise?: Creagan a' Chaise has 330m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Creagan a' Chaise?: Standard parking is at NJ092174. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Creagan a' Chaise?: The standard good-weather months for Creagan a' Chaise are April, May, June, July, August, 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 Creagan a' Chaise?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Creagan a' Chaise?: Reception across the Cromdale ridge; reliable for Speyside hills
Is Creagan a' Chaise safe in winter?: Cromdale gets reliable Speyside snow from December. The summit is exposed to easterlies straight off the Cairngorms.

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