Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col 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.
A track climbs to the col below Meikle Pap. The steep Ladder path leads onto the plateau, and the corrie rim takes you to the summit tor.
Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col at a glance
| Distance | 9.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 850 m |
| Time up | 3h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Spittal of Glenmuick car park |
| Start grid reference | NO 308 850 |
| Summit grid reference | NO 243 861 |
Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col 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 Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 5h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 6h 20m |
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 10:28 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:16, sunset 16:36. Start by 10:26 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag summit weather for this route
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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 Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descent by the Glas Allt | 10.4 km one way | 770 m | 3h 20m | 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.
Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col: questions and answers
How far is Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col?
Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col is 9.3 km one way to the summit of Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag, with 850 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 18.6 km.
How long does Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col take?
About 3h 15m to the summit of Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag and 5h 10m 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 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col?
Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col starts from Spittal of Glenmuick car park. The grid reference is NO 308 850.
Is Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col 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 Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col today?
By 10:28 at the latest. Sunset on Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag today is 16:38, Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col takes about 5h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Spittal of Glenmuick via Meikle Pap col?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).