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
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 877 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO240815
- Parking
- NO309851
- Nearest city
- Dundee
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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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: No 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
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:01
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:05
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 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 hard is Broad Cairn?
- Broad Cairn is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 877m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Loch Muick lochside path is excellent restored pitching.
- Where do I park for Broad Cairn?
- Standard parking is at NO309851 near Dundee. 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 Broad Cairn?
- The standard good-weather months for Broad Cairn are 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 Broad 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 Broad Cairn?
- No 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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