Munro · Cairngorms
Carn a' Mhaim
Càrn a' Mhàim (1039m) is the southern outlier of the Ben Macdui plateau, separated from the main massif by one of the few genuine narrow ridges in the Cairngorms — a rare feature in a landscape otherwise dominated by broad mossy tablelands. The hill offers spectacular views straight down the length of the Lairig Ghru pass and across to the Devil's Point and Cairn Toul. Often paired with Ben Macdui via the famous narrow connecting ridge — one of the great Cairngorms walks.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1039.1m/ 3409ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 914 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN994951
- Parking
- NO062898
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Estate track 30% · Open moorland 25% · Rocky ridge 45%
Park at Linn of Dee (NTS) and walk in via the Lui track to Derry Lodge — about 5km of easy estate track. From Derry Lodge follow the Glen Luibeg path west, then climb the steep east shoulder of Càrn a' Mhàim through scattered Caledonian pine. From the summit cairn most parties continue north along the connecting ridge to Ben Macdui, returning via Sron Riach and the same Luibeg path. Around 26km with 1100m of ascent for the pair; Càrn a' Mhàim alone is 22km with 750m up.
Terrain
The Lui estate track is firm and well-graded. Beyond Derry Lodge the path west into Glen Luibeg is good but rough in places. The climb onto the east shoulder is sustained heather and bouldery ground through scattered pines. The summit area is broad gravel and short turf. The connecting ridge north to Ben Macdui is the highlight — genuinely narrow with cliffs falling east to the Lairig Ghru. The full traverse to Macdui is an undulating 4km with 350m of re-ascent.
In winter
A serious winter Cairngorms day. The narrow Càrn a' Mhàim–Macdui ridge develops cornices on the east side; under whiteout conditions it becomes a genuine navigation challenge. The east face above the Lairig Ghru holds avalanche-prone snow loaded by westerly winds. The Linn of Dee access road is gritted but the walk-in from Derry Lodge in winter daylight is committing. Phone signal absent throughout. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 53m
- Edinburgh3h 38m
OS maps: OS Landranger 36, OS Landranger 43
Mobile signal: No signal in the Lairig Ghru or on the eastern Cairngorm plateaux. Linn of Dee has occasional signal. Download maps before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:24
- Sunset
- 22:03
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn a' Mhaim.
Around Carn a' Mhaim 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
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
20km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Royal Lochnagar
Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting
28km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn a' Mhaim — common questions
- How hard is Carn a' Mhaim?
- Carn a' Mhaim is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 914m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Lui estate track is firm and well-graded.
- Where do I park for Carn a' Mhaim?
- Standard parking is at NO062898 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 Carn a' Mhaim?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn a' Mhaim 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 Carn a' Mhaim?
- 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 Carn a' Mhaim?
- No signal in the Lairig Ghru or on the eastern Cairngorm plateaux. Linn of Dee has occasional signal. Download maps before setting off.
- Is Carn a' Mhaim safe in winter?
- A serious winter Cairngorms day. The narrow Càrn a' Mhàim–Macdui ridge develops cornices on the east side; under whiteout conditions it becomes a genuine navigation challenge. The east face above the Lairig Ghru holds avalanche-prone snow loaded by westerly winds. The Linn of Dee access road is gritted but the walk-in from Derry Lodge in winter daylight is committing. Phone signal absent throughout. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies.
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