Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan up Ben Macdui: route map, distance and time
1,309 m · Cairngorms · OS grid NN988989
Ben Macdui is the second-highest mountain in Britain and the highest point of the Cairngorms, a vast granite plateau climbed from Cairngorm or the Linn of Dee.
A path climbs past Coire an t-Sneachda to Cairn Lochan, then crosses the plateau south to the summit.
Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan at a glance
| Distance | 10.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 952 m |
| Time up | 3h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cairngorm ski centre car park (Coire Cas) |
| Start grid reference | NH 989 061 |
| Summit grid reference | NN988989 |
Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 40m | 5h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 30m | 7h 5m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:54, sunset 18:04. Start by 11:19 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:56, sunset 18:02. Start by 11:17 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Macdui summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Clear sky, up to 3°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 6 mph gusting 19 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:54, sunset 18:04.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 99% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:56, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 92% (Excellent), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Ben Macdui forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Macdui?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Cairngorms and Monadhliath forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Northern Cairngorms avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Ben Macdui
Ben Macdui is the second-highest mountain in Britain and the highest point of the Cairngorms, a vast granite plateau climbed from Cairngorm or the Linn of Dee. More about Ben Macdui, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sron Riach (1,114 m), 1.6 km south-east
- Carn Etchachan (1,120 m), 2.4 km north-east
- Creagan a Choire Etchachan (1,107 m), 2.4 km east
- Creagan a' Choire Etchachan (1,107 m), 2.4 km east
- Sron na Lairige (1,184 m), 3 km north-west
- Derry Cairngorm (1,156 m), 3 km east
Challenges that include Ben Macdui
More walks from Cairngorm ski centre car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Coire Cas via Fiacaill a' Choire Chais up Cairn Gorm
- Coire Cas via Windy Ridge up Cairn Gorm
Other routes up Ben Macdui
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn of Dee via Loch Etchachan | 17.5 km one way | 1,221 m | 5h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NH 989 061, the summit at NN988989), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan: questions and answers
How far is Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan?
Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan is 10.4 km one way to the summit of Ben Macdui, with 952 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 20.8 km.
How long does Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan take?
About 3h 40m to the summit of Ben Macdui and 5h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 7h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan?
Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan starts from Cairngorm ski centre car park (Coire Cas). The grid reference is NH 989 061.
Is Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan today?
By 11:19 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Macdui today is 18:04, Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan takes about 5h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).