Coire Cas via Windy Ridge up Cairn Gorm: route map, distance and time
1,245 m · Cairngorms
Cairn Gorm is the Munro above Aviemore that gives the Cairngorms their name, climbed from the ski centre car park by a ridge path past the funicular.
You climb the Windy Ridge path over Sron an Aonaich to the summit.
Coire Cas via Windy Ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 616 m |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Cairngorm ski centre car park (Coire Cas) |
| Start grid reference | NH 989 061 |
| Summit grid reference | NJ 005 040 |
Coire Cas via Windy Ridge 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 the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 0m |
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 07:56, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:32 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:59, sunset 17:59. Start by 14:29 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cairn Gorm summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 99% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:56, sunset 18:02.
-
Poor Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 54 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:59, sunset 17:59.
Best day of the next seven for the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 26 mph and a 43% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 04:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Cairn Gorm forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Cairn Gorm?
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 -5°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 99% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 44 mph.
- 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 Cairn Gorm
Cairn Gorm is the Munro above Aviemore that gives the Cairngorms their name, climbed from the ski centre car park by a ridge path past the funicular. More about Cairn Gorm, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Cnap Coire na Spreidhe (1,152 m), 1.2 km north-east
- Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (1,176 m), 1.4 km south-west
- Cairn Lochan (1,214 m), 2.5 km south-west
- Stacan Dubha (1,014 m), 2.6 km south
- A Choinneach (1,017 m), 2.8 km east
- A' Choinneach (1,017 m), 2.8 km east
Challenges that include Cairn Gorm
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.
- Cairngorm ski centre via Cairn Lochan up Ben Macdui
Other routes up Cairn Gorm
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coire Cas via Fiacaill a' Choire Chais | 3.5 km one way | 620 m | 1h 45m | Moderate |
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 NJ 005 040), 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.
Coire Cas via Windy Ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge?
The Coire Cas via Windy Ridge is 3.6 km one way to the summit of Cairn Gorm, with 616 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.2 km.
How long does the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Cairn Gorm and 2h 30m 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 3h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge?
The Coire Cas via Windy Ridge starts from Cairngorm ski centre car park (Coire Cas). The grid reference is NH 989 061.
Is the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge today?
By 14:32 at the latest. Sunset on Cairn Gorm today is 18:02, The Coire Cas via Windy Ridge takes about 2h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Coire Cas via Windy Ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).