Munro · Cairngorms
Broad Cairn
Broad Cairn (998m) is the southernmost Munro of the White Mounth plateau between Glen Muick and Glen Clova. The hill sits at the south-eastern corner of the broad upland that rises from Loch Muick — natural pairing with Cairn Bannoch to the north-west. Despite its modest profile the position above the Loch Muick cliffs and the views down Glen Clova give it real character. The standard approach is from Spittal of Glenmuick on the same path system as the other Lochnagar / White Mounth Munros.
Quick facts
- Height
- 997.1m/ 3271ft
- Prominence
- 64 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 877 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO240815
- Parking
- NO309851
- Nearest city
- Dundee· 54km
- 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
Glen track 40% · Open hillside 35% · Summit plateau 25%
Park at the Spittal of Glenmuick car park (NTS). Take the lochside path west past Loch Muick to the Glas-allt Shiel ruin, then climb south-east via the rough Capel Mounth track onto the broad south shoulder of Broad Cairn. Continue north-west to the summit cairn. Most parties continue west to Cairn Bannoch for the second Munro. Around 21km with 870m of ascent for the pair. A direct line via the Capel Mounth bridle path from Glen Clova is also possible from the south.
Terrain
The Loch Muick lochside path is excellent restored pitching. The Capel Mounth track climbs through scattered birch and onto open hillside, becoming a rough boggy pathway higher up. The summit area is broad granite-boulder ground with a substantial cairn. Navigation across the plateau in cloud requires care. The descent on the south side to Glen Clova drops through forestry on rough wet tracks.
In winter
A serious eastern Cairngorms plateau winter day. The White Mounth is fully exposed to easterly continental weather and drifts heavily. Cornicing along the corrie rims above Loch Muick and the Glas-allt is consistent. The Spittal of Glenmuick access remains reliable, but the Glen Clova road can drift. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Southern Cairngorms, and there is no mobile reception above the treeline.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 50m
- Edinburgh2h 17m
OS maps: OS Landranger 44
Mobile signal: Zero signal above 800m. Spittal of Muick road end has intermittent coverage. Glen Muick is remote — download maps before the drive.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:55
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 04:00
- Civil dusk
- 22:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Broad Cairn.
Around Broad Cairn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Pitlochry station
Schiehallion, Ben Vrackie, Beinn a Ghlo, Edradour distillery
38km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Ballater
Eastern Cairngorms / Royal Deeside
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Royal Lochnagar
Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting
9km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Broad Cairn — common questions
- How difficult is Broad Cairn?
- Broad Cairn carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 17km, 877m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: The Loch Muick lochside path is excellent restored pitching.
- How much drop does Broad Cairn have?
- The drop is 64m: measured from the summit of Broad Cairn down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Broad Cairn?
- Park at NO309851. 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 Broad Cairn?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Broad Cairn. 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 Broad Cairn?
- 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 Broad Cairn?
- Zero signal above 800m. Spittal of Muick road end has intermittent coverage. Glen Muick is remote — download maps before the drive.
- Is Broad Cairn safe in winter?
- A serious eastern Cairngorms plateau winter day. The White Mounth is fully exposed to easterly continental weather and drifts heavily. Cornicing along the corrie rims above Loch Muick and the Glas-allt is consistent. The Spittal of Glenmuick access remains reliable, but the Glen Clova road can drift. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Southern Cairngorms, and there is no mobile reception above the treeline.
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