Routes up
Cairn of Gowal routes: 4 ways to the top
Lochnagar CircuitHiking · 24km · from Spittal of GlenmuickModerate
This route takes you through the White Mounth plateau, offering stunning views of the surrounding Cairngorms, and includes a visit to the summit of Lochnagar.
Cairn of Gowal Direct AscentHiking · 10km · 800 m ascent · ~3h 20m · from Spittal of GlenmuickModerate
A direct ascent to Cairn of Gowal from Spittal of Glenmuick, offering a more straightforward route for those focusing on this peak alone.
Lochnagar and Cairn of Gowal TraverseScrambling · 20km · from Spittal of GlenmuickModerate
This route combines hiking and scrambling, traversing from Lochnagar to Cairn of Gowal, providing a mix of terrain and excellent views.
White Mounth MunrosHiking · 30km · from Spittal of GlenmuickChallenging
This challenging hike covers five Munros in the White Mounth range, including Cairn of Gowal, and provides a full day of high-level walking.
Summit today
Is it safe to climb Cairn of Gowal today?
Cairn of Gowal today (updated 06:16, 28 Oct): up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 53 mph, 100% chance of rain. A marginal day for the hills. Best day this week: Tuesday, summit gusts 15 mph.
Cairn of Gowal weather today
Moderate rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 53 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.
Cairn of Gowal weather tomorrow
Thursday 29 October: mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 38 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good.
Cairn of Gowal weather this weekend
Saturday 31 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 20 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Good.
Sunday 1 November: fog, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Good.
Cairn of Gowal summit forecast, next 7 days
| Day | Verdict | High/low | Feels like | Wind/gust mph | Rain or snow |
|---|
| TodayModerate rain | Marginal | 5°/1° | -6° | 36/53 | 100% |
|---|
| TomorrowLight drizzle | Good | 6°/4° | -1° | 17/38 | 0% |
|---|
| Fri 30Light drizzle | Poor | 7°/4° | -1° | 41/51 | 5% |
|---|
| Sat 31Light drizzle | Good | 7°/2° | 0° | 16/20 | 21% |
|---|
| Sun 1Fog | Good | 4°/-4° | -7° | 15/19 | 12% |
|---|
| Mon 2Fog | Marginal | 5°/-4° | -8° | 13/17 | 6% |
|---|
| Tue 3Fog | Good | 7°/-3° | -6° | 12/15 | 0% |
|---|
Cairn of Gowal 14-day weather forecast: days 8 to 14, less certain
| Day | Verdict | High/low | Feels like | Wind/gust mph | Rain or snow |
|---|
| Wed 4Fog | Good | 3°/-3° | -5° | 14/17 | 2% |
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| Thu 5Fog | Good | 3°/-4° | -7° | 4/5 | 4% |
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| Fri 6Fog | Good | 2°/-4° | -7° | 7/10 | 4% |
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| Sat 7Fog | Marginal | 2°/-4° | -8° | 17/21 | 15% |
|---|
| Sun 8Fog | Good | 2°/-2° | -6° | 18/22 | 21% |
|---|
| Mon 9Fog | Good | 4°/-3° | -6° | 18/22 | 25% |
|---|
| Tue 10Fog | Good | 2°/-3° | -6° | 14/18 | 22% |
|---|
Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on Cairn of Gowal each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 989m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over Cairn of Gowal each night this week, from cloud cover, moonlight and local light pollution.
Snow · 7 days
No snow is forecast at the summit in the next 7 days.
Sun today
Sunrise 07:14, sunset 16:39
9h 25m of daylight. Golden hour ends 08:11 and starts 15:41. From the summit you see the sun 07:06 to 16:45.
Nearby summits
Close to Cairn of Gowal
About Cairn of Gowal
Cairn of Gowal is 989 m (3,246 ft) high with 21 m of prominence. It is in Cairngorms, Scotland. It is the 87th highest of the 525 summits Peakify lists in Cairngorms. The nearest summits are Cairn of Gowal South Top (0.4 km), Cairn Bannoch (0.6 km) and Creag an Dubh-loch (0.7 km).
How high is Cairn of Gowal?
Cairn of Gowal is 989 metres high with 21 metres of prominence.
Where is Cairn of Gowal?
Cairn of Gowal is listed in Cairngorms, Scotland.
Are there routes for Cairn of Gowal?
Peakify lists 4 routes for Cairn of Gowal, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is Lochnagar Circuit (24km, Moderate).
Is it safe to climb Cairn of Gowal 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 is the weather on Cairn of Gowal tomorrow?
Thursday 29 October: mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 38 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good.
What is the weather on Cairn of Gowal this weekend?
Saturday 31 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 20 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunday 1 November: fog, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Good.
What weather information is shown for Cairn of Gowal?
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.
