Routes up
Cairn Lick routes: 3 ways to the top
Standard RouteHiking · 8km · 450 m ascent · ~2h 20m · from Invercauld BridgeModerate
The standard route to Cairn Lick starts at Invercauld Bridge, it follows a well-trodden path through the forest before ascending the open hillside to the summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Cairngorms.
East ApproachHiking · 12km · 600 m ascent · ~3h 25m · from BallaterModerate
The east approach to Cairn Lick offers a longer hike with gradual elevation gain, starting from Ballater and traversing through scenic moorland.
North Ridge ScrambleScrambling · 10km · 500 m ascent · ~2h 50m · from BraemarGrade 1 Scramble
This route involves a scramble up the north ridge of Cairn Lick, providing a more challenging ascent with some exposure, suitable for experienced scramblers.
Summit today
Is it safe to climb Cairn Lick today?
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Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on Cairn Lick each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 681m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over Cairn Lick each night this week, from cloud cover, moonlight and local light pollution.
Snow · 7 days
Snowfall and lying snow at the summit over the next 7 days.
Sun today
Sunrise 07:13, sunset 16:38
9h 25m of daylight. Golden hour ends 08:10 and starts 15:40. From the summit you see the sun 07:07 to 16:43.
Nearby summits
Close to Cairn Lick
About Cairn Lick
Cairn Lick is 681 m (2,235 ft) high with 38 m of prominence. It is in Cairngorms, Scotland. It is the 431st highest of the 525 summits Peakify lists in Cairngorms. The nearest summits are Craig Maskeldie South Top (0.9 km), Craig Maskeldie (1.5 km) and Muckle Cairn (2.2 km).
How high is Cairn Lick?
Cairn Lick is 681 metres high with 38 metres of prominence.
Where is Cairn Lick?
Cairn Lick is listed in Cairngorms, Scotland.
Are there routes for Cairn Lick?
Peakify lists 3 routes for Cairn Lick, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is Standard Route (8km, Moderate).
Is it safe to climb Cairn Lick today?
Peakify rates each day on the summit Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. Today's and tomorrow's ratings are at the top of this page. The rating covers the weather only: also check your route, daylight, kit and experience, and in winter whether you need an ice axe and crampons.
What weather information is shown for Cairn Lick?
The page includes cached mountain forecast context, snow outlook, dark-sky signals, cloud-inversion information, sunrise, sunset, and summit planning details where available.
Peakify is run by Sam Tyler, who has climbed Yr Wyddfa 22 times. The forecast refreshes every hour; how our forecast works.
