Munro · Cairngorms
Cairn Gorm
Cairn Gorm gives its name to the entire range of mountains and to the National Park around them. At 1244m it is the sixth-highest Munro and arguably the most accessible — the Cairngorm ski road brings drivers up to 635m at Coire Cas, halving the height that needs to be walked off. The mountain has a complex role in modern Scottish mountain culture: ski resort, funicular railway, weather station, the SAIS Northern Cairngorms snow report's namesake, and a serious mountain in its own right with corries that hold winter climbing classics like Aladdin's Couloir and the Mess of Pottage.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1244.8m/ 4084ft
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 1095 m
- Time
- 6–10 hrs
- Grid ref
- NJ005040
- Parking
- NH989060
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Good path 50% · Mountain path 25% · Plateau / boulder field 25%
The standard summer route is the well-built path up the side of the Coire Cas ski tow from the main car park, climbing to the Ptarmigan station and continuing to the summit cairn and weather station. Around 8km return with 700m of ascent for the direct route. The database 20km/1095m figure covers the longer round that includes Coire an t-Sneachda or links to Ben Macdui. Most visitors combine with Macdui or do the Northern Corries horseshoe.
Terrain
The Coire Cas path is well-built and clear. Above the Ptarmigan the surface is loose granite gravel and boulders, with intermittent path. The summit is a wide stony platform with a large cairn, automatic weather station and refuge shelter. The corries to the south and east are unfenced and edge-undercut — never approach a corrie rim in winter without confirmed visibility. The funicular cannot be used for descent.
In winter
Cairngorm holds the UK weather wind-speed record (173mph, March 1986) and is one of the snowiest mountains in Britain. The Northern Corries — Coire an t-Sneachda, Coire an Lochain — are the busiest winter climbing venues in Scotland. The summit plateau is the home territory of cornice and whiteout accidents; recent fatalities have included experienced winter walkers. The SAIS Northern Cairngorms report runs daily Nov–Apr; check before going.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 5m
- Edinburgh3h 49m
OS maps: OS Landranger 36
Mobile signal: Good signal at the Coire Cas car park (Cairngorm ski area) — EE and Vodafone reliable. Signal holds on the lower path then degrades significantly on the plateau above 1100m. The Ptarmigan restaurant (accessible via the funicular) has WiFi if needed before the walk.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:04
- Civil dawn
- 03:18
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Cairn Gorm.
Around Cairn Gorm on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Aviemore station
Cairngorm plateau; Lairig Ghru; Speyside Way; Glenmore
14km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
14km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Tomintoul
Tomintoul village — the gentle Speysider in the eastern Cairngorms
21km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cairn Gorm — common questions
- How hard is Cairn Gorm?
- Cairn Gorm is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 20km with 1095m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-10 hours. Terrain: The Coire Cas path is well-built and clear.
- Where do I park for Cairn Gorm?
- Standard parking is at NH989060 near Inverness. 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 Cairn Gorm?
- The standard good-weather months for Cairn Gorm 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 Cairn Gorm?
- 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 Cairn Gorm?
- Good signal at the Coire Cas car park (Cairngorm ski area) — EE and Vodafone reliable. Signal holds on the lower path then degrades significantly on the plateau above 1100m. The Ptarmigan restaurant (accessible via the funicular) has WiFi if needed before the walk.
- Is Cairn Gorm safe in winter?
- Cairngorm holds the UK weather wind-speed record (173mph, March 1986) and is one of the snowiest mountains in Britain. The Northern Corries — Coire an t-Sneachda, Coire an Lochain — are the busiest winter climbing venues in Scotland. The summit plateau is the home territory of cornice and whiteout accidents; recent fatalities have included experienced winter walkers. The SAIS Northern Cairngorms report runs daily Nov–Apr; check before going.
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