Descent by the Glas Allt up Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag: route map, distance and time
1,156 m · Cairngorms
Cac Carn Beag is the 1156m summit of Lochnagar, the granite Munro above Royal Deeside climbed from the Spittal of Glenmuick.
From the plateau a path drops beside the Glas Allt waterfall to Loch Muick, returning along the lochside track.
Descent by the Glas Allt at a glance
| Distance | 10.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 770 m |
| Time up | 3h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Spittal of Glenmuick car park |
| Start grid reference | NO 308 850 |
| Summit grid reference | NO 243 861 |
Descent by the Glas Allt 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 Descent by the Glas Allt takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 5h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 10m | 6h 45m |
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 07:14, sunset 16:38. Start by 10:13 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:16, sunset 16:36. Start by 10:11 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -8°C, summit wind 45 mph gusting 56 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:14, sunset 16:38.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 42 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:16, sunset 16:36.
Best day of the next seven for Descent by the Glas Allt: Tuesday 3 November, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 2% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Cairngorms and Monadhliath forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Southern Cairngorms avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -8°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 56 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 Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag
Cac Carn Beag is the 1156m summit of Lochnagar, the granite Munro above Royal Deeside climbed from the Spittal of Glenmuick. More about Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Meall Coire na Saobhaidhe (973 m), 1.2 km north
- Meikle Pap (980 m), 1.6 km east
- Creag a Ghlas-uillt (1,067 m), 1.9 km south
- Creag a' Ghlas-uillt (1,067 m), 1.9 km south
- Cuidhe Crom (1,083 m), 2 km south-east
- Carn a Choire Bhoidheach (1,110 m), 2.3 km south-west
Challenges that include Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag
Other routes up Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col | 9.3 km one way | 850 m | 3h 15m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NO 308 850, the summit at NO 243 861), 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.
Descent by the Glas Allt: questions and answers
How far is Descent by the Glas Allt?
Descent by the Glas Allt is 10.4 km one way to the summit of Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag, with 770 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 20.8 km.
How long does Descent by the Glas Allt take?
About 3h 20m to the summit of Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag and 5h 25m 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 6h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Descent by the Glas Allt?
Descent by the Glas Allt starts from Spittal of Glenmuick car park. The grid reference is NO 308 850.
Is Descent by the Glas Allt 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 Descent by the Glas Allt today?
By 10:13 at the latest. Sunset on Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag today is 16:38, Descent by the Glas Allt takes about 5h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Descent by the Glas Allt?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).