Routes up
Earn Cairn routes: 4 ways to the top
Standard RouteHiking · 8km · 450 m ascent · ~2h 20m · from Invercauld HouseModerate
The standard route to Earn Cairn begins at Invercauld House, it follows a well-trodden path through scenic woodlands and open moorland, offering expansive views of the surrounding Cairngorms.
East ApproachHiking · 9km · 480 m ascent · ~2h 35m · from BraemarModerate
The east approach starts from Braemar and takes a more gradual ascent through heather-clad hills, ideal for those seeking a less direct route.
Southwest RidgeHiking · 10km · 520 m ascent · ~2h 50m · from CrathieModerate
This route ascends via the southwest ridge, offering a mix of gentle slopes and steeper sections, with panoramic views of the Dee Valley.
North Ridge ScrambleScrambling · 7km · 500 m ascent · ~2h 15m · from Invercauld HouseGrade 1 Scramble
This route involves a straightforward scramble up the north ridge, providing an adventurous ascent with some exposure and stunning views.
Summit today
Is it safe to climb Earn Cairn today?
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Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on Earn Cairn each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 527m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over Earn Cairn 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 07:11, sunset 16:36
9h 25m of daylight. Golden hour ends 08:09 and starts 15:38. From the summit you see the sun 07:06 to 16:41.
Nearby summits
Close to Earn Cairn
About Earn Cairn
Earn Cairn is 527 m (1,729 ft) high with 26 m of prominence. It is in Braemar to Montrose, Scotland. OS grid reference NO605777. It is the 17th highest of the 48 summits Peakify lists in Braemar to Montrose. The nearest summits are Hound Hillock (2.2 km), Craigancash (1.9 km) and Whitelaws (3.4 km).
How high is Earn Cairn?
Earn Cairn is 527 metres high with 26 metres of prominence.
Where is Earn Cairn?
Earn Cairn is listed in Braemar to Montrose, Scotland.
Are there routes for Earn Cairn?
Peakify lists 4 routes for Earn Cairn, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is Standard Route (8km, Moderate).
Is it safe to climb Earn Cairn 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 Earn Cairn?
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.
