Marilyn · Cairngorms
Hare Cairn
A 516m grassy dome on the divide between Glen Isla and Glen Prosen, named for the mountain hares that turn white on its upper slopes in late autumn. The summit cairn is one of several prehistoric burial mounds scattered along the Angus Mounth.
Quick facts
- Height
- 516m/ 1693ft
- Grid ref
- NO 24212 62339
- Nearest city
- Dundee· 36km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 70% · grass slopes 20% · rocky summit 10%
From the Glen Prosen road end, follow the public path north-west towards the Capel Mounth before striking up onto Hare Cairns broad south ridge. Around 10km out and back in 3 to 4 hours.
Terrain
Sheep-cropped grass on the ridge proper, with squelchy ground around the spring source on the eastern flank. Hardly any rocky ground to negotiate.
In winter
A safer option than the higher Mounth summits when avalanche risk is elevated, as the slopes are gentle and rounded. Spring snow can lie in the lee until May; the hares are at their photogenic best in March.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 28m
- Edinburgh2h 4m
OS maps: OS Landranger 44, OS Explorer 053S, OS Explorer 388S
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Angus Glens viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:20
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:14
- Civil dusk
- 23:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Hare Cairn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dunkeld & Birnam station
Birnam Hill, Hermitage walks, southern Perthshire gateway
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Dunkeld
Southern Cairngorms gateway — Hermitage, Loch of the Lowes
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Edradour
Pitlochry — until recently Scotland's smallest distillery; charming Perthshire setting
28km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Hare Cairn — common questions
- How hard is Hare Cairn?
- Hare Cairn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass on the ridge proper, with squelchy ground around the spring source on the eastern flank.
- When is the best time to climb Hare Cairn?
- The standard good-weather months for Hare Cairn are March, 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 Hare Cairn?
- 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 Hare Cairn?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Fine Angus Glens viewpoint.
- Is Hare Cairn safe in winter?
- A safer option than the higher Mounth summits when avalanche risk is elevated, as the slopes are gentle and rounded. Spring snow can lie in the lee until May; the hares are at their photogenic best in March.
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