Munro · Central Highlands
Carn na Caim
Càrn na Caim (941m) — "hill of the curve" — is one of the two eastern Drumochter Munros (with A' Bhuidheanach Bheag) on the high broad plateau east of the A9 pass. The hill is one of the shortest direct Munro ascents in Scotland — barely 4km from the A9 lay-by — but the broad featureless summit demands serious navigation in cloud. A popular quick winter Munro tick when the west coast is weathered out.
Quick facts
- Height
- 940.8m/ 3087ft
- Prominence
- 328 m
- Distance
- 19 km
- Ascent
- 824 m
- Time
- 5–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN677821
- Parking
- NN632792
- Nearest
- Fort William· Inverness 63km
- 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
A9 path 20% · Open hillside 45% · Summit plateau 35%
Park at the small lay-by on the A9 at Drumochter (north of Dalwhinnie). Take the rough estate landrover track east up the glen, climbing onto the broad Drumochter plateau. Continue north-east across the broad mossy plateau to the Càrn na Caim summit cairn. Most parties also take in A' Bhuidheanach Bheag to the south. Around 19km return with 820m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The Drumochter access track is firm landrover surface for the rapid climb to the plateau. Above 700m the going turns to broad mossy turf and gravel — easy walking but completely featureless. The Càrn na Caim summit cairn sits inconspicuously at the high point of a wide flat top. Navigation across the broad plateau in cloud requires confident map-and-compass technique.
In winter
A serious open-plateau winter Munro despite the quick access. The broad summit is fully exposed to easterly continental weather; whiteout navigation across the featureless plateau is the principal challenge. The A9 at Drumochter stays reliably gritted, though the lay-by glazes with ice. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Southern Cairngorms.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 29m
- Edinburgh3h 37m
OS maps: OS Landranger 42
Mobile signal: Good signal at the Drumochter car park. Above 850m signal weakens but the A9 corridor provides better coverage than most Highland glens.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:59
- Sunset
- 21:48
- Civil dawn
- 04:03
- Civil dusk
- 22:43
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn na Caim.
Around Carn na Caim on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Dalwhinnie station
Highest mainline station; Drumochter Munros; Ben Alder approach
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Pitlochry
Perthshire base — Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo, Ben Vrackie
35km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
5km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn na Caim — common questions
- How hard is Carn na Caim?
- We grade Carn na Caim at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 19km with 824m of climbing; allow 5-6 hours. Ground conditions: The Drumochter access track is firm landrover surface for the rapid climb to the plateau.
- How much drop does Carn na Caim have?
- The drop is 328m: measured from the summit of Carn na Caim down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Carn na Caim?
- Park at NN632792 near Fort William. 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 Carn na Caim?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September, October on Carn na Caim. 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 Carn na Caim?
- 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 Carn na Caim?
- Good signal at the Drumochter car park. Above 850m signal weakens but the A9 corridor provides better coverage than most Highland glens.
- Is Carn na Caim safe in winter?
- A serious open-plateau winter Munro despite the quick access. The broad summit is fully exposed to easterly continental weather; whiteout navigation across the featureless plateau is the principal challenge. The A9 at Drumochter stays reliably gritted, though the lay-by glazes with ice. The relevant avalanche forecast is SAIS Southern Cairngorms.
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