What difficulty is Beinn a' Chaorainn?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn a' Chaorainn comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 29km and 860m of ascent on the usual route — 6-9 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: The Glen Lui and Glen Derry tracks are firm gravel through ancient Caledonian pinewoods — bike-friendly to Derry Lodge.

How much drop does Beinn a' Chaorainn have?

The drop is 246m: measured from the summit of Beinn a' Chaorainn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Beinn a' Chaorainn?

Park at NO062898. 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 Beinn a' Chaorainn?

Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn a' Chaorainn. 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 Beinn a' Chaorainn?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Callum Black / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Munro · Cairngorms

Beinn a' Chaorainn

This Beinn a' Chaorainn — "hill of the rowan tree" — is the 1083m eastern-Cairngorm Munro between Glen Derry and Glen Avon, north of Derry Cairngorm. The summit is a large cairn on a broad granite plateau with views west into the heart of the main Cairngorm massif and east across the wide Geldie watershed. Often paired with Beinn Bhreac across the broad bealach to the south for a two-Munro Glen Derry round.

Quick facts

Height: 1083.3m/ 3554ft
Prominence: 246 m
Distance: ~29 km
Ascent: ~860 m
Time: 6–9 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NJ045013
Parking: NO062898
Nearest city: Inverness· 58km
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

Estate track / forest path 30% · Open hillside 40% · Summit plateau 30%

29km · 860m ascent · 7 hrs

From the Linn of Dee, follow Glen Lui through to Derry Lodge then continue north up Glen Derry on the long stalkers path. Climb the broad south ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn to the summit plateau. Around 29km return with some 860m of ascent; ride the lower 8km of estate track for efficiency. Most parties combine with Beinn Bhreac.

Terrain

The Glen Lui and Glen Derry tracks are firm gravel through ancient Caledonian pinewoods — bike-friendly to Derry Lodge. The climb onto the broad south ridge is on rough heather; the summit plateau is granite gravel and short moss. No exposure on the standard line; navigation across the wide plateau in mist is the main challenge.

In winter

A long winter day in Cairngorms-arctic conditions. The plateau is featureless under snow; whiteout navigation demands competence. Cornicing on the north sides into Glen Avon. The Linn of Dee road is gritted; the Glen Lui track ices in cold snaps. SAIS Northern Cairngorms applies.

This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 3m
Edinburgh3h 45m

Parking: NO062898

OS maps: OS Landranger 36

Mobile signal: Signal gone above 800m. Linn of Dee has occasional coverage. Download Harvey Cairngorms map before the drive.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:28
Sunset: 19:57
Civil dawn: 05:48
Civil dusk: 20:37

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 September 2026

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Around Beinn a' Chaorainn 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

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Aviemore

Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train

19km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Tomintoul

Tomintoul village — the gentle Speysider in the eastern Cairngorms

21km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Beinn a' Chaorainn — common questions

What difficulty is Beinn a' Chaorainn?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn a' Chaorainn comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 29km and 860m of ascent on the usual route — 6-9 hours for most parties. Ground conditions: The Glen Lui and Glen Derry tracks are firm gravel through ancient Caledonian pinewoods — bike-friendly to Derry Lodge.
How much drop does Beinn a' Chaorainn have?: The drop is 246m: measured from the summit of Beinn a' Chaorainn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Beinn a' Chaorainn?: Park at NO062898. 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 Beinn a' Chaorainn?: Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Beinn a' Chaorainn. 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 Beinn a' Chaorainn?: 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 Beinn a' Chaorainn?: Signal gone above 800m. Linn of Dee has occasional coverage. Download Harvey Cairngorms map before the drive.
Is Beinn a' Chaorainn safe in winter?: A long winter day in Cairngorms-arctic conditions. The plateau is featureless under snow; whiteout navigation demands competence. Cornicing on the north sides into Glen Avon. The Linn of Dee road is gritted; the Glen Lui track ices in cold snaps. SAIS Northern Cairngorms applies.

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