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
- Prominence
- 146 m
- Distance
- 6.5 km
- Ascent
- 625 m
- Time
- 2–3 hrs
- Grid ref
- NJ005040
- Parking
- NH989060
- Nearest city
- Inverness· 53km
- 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
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 6.5km return with 625m of ascent for the direct route. 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
- 04:55
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 03:59
- Civil dusk
- 22:43
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 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?
- We grade Cairn Gorm at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 6.5km with 625m of climbing; allow 2-3 hours. Ground conditions: The Coire Cas path is well-built and clear.
- How much drop does Cairn Gorm have?
- The drop is 146m: measured from the summit of Cairn Gorm down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Cairn Gorm?
- Park at NH989060. 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 Cairn Gorm?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Cairn Gorm. 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 Cairn Gorm?
- 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 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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