Routes up
The Cairnwell routes: 4 ways to the top
The Cairnwell Direct AscentHiking · 3km · 450 m ascent · ~1h 20m · from Glenshee Ski CentreEasy
This is a direct ascent to The Cairnwell from the Glenshee Ski Centre, it is a short and steep hike suitable for beginners.
The Cairnwell CircuitHiking · 12km · 800 m ascent · ~3h 45m · from Glenshee Ski CentreModerate
This route takes you over the three Munros of The Cairnwell, Carn Aosda, and Carn a' Gheoidh, starting from the Glenshee Ski Centre, it offers a straightforward hike with excellent views.
The Cairnwell and Carn a' GheoidhHiking · 10km · 700 m ascent · ~3h 10m · from Glenshee Ski CentreModerate
This route includes The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh, offering a more extended hike with varied terrain and rewarding views.
The Cairnwell ScrambleScrambling · 5km · 500 m ascent · ~1h 50m · from Glenshee Ski CentreGrade 1 Scramble
This route involves a Grade 1 scramble up the rocky sections of The Cairnwell, providing a more challenging ascent for those seeking a bit of adventure.
Summit today
Is it safe to climb The Cairnwell today?
The Cairnwell today (updated 08:43, 28 Oct): up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 40 mph, 100% chance of rain. A marginal day for the hills. Best day this week: Sunday, summit gusts 13 mph.
The Cairnwell weather today
Slight rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 40 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.
The Cairnwell weather tomorrow
Thursday 29 October: mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 33 mph gusting 41 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.
The Cairnwell weather this weekend
Saturday 31 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 20% chance of rain. Rated Good.
Sunday 1 November: fog, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 10 mph gusting 13 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Good.
The Cairnwell summit forecast, next 7 days
| Day | Verdict | High/low | Feels like | Wind/gust mph | Rain or snow |
|---|
| TodaySlight rain | Marginal | 5°/2° | -4° | 28/40 | 100% |
|---|
| TomorrowLight drizzle | Marginal | 6°/4° | -1° | 33/41 | 0% |
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| Fri 30Light drizzle | Marginal | 6°/4° | -2° | 36/45 | 8% |
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| Sat 31Light drizzle | Good | 7°/1° | -1° | 17/21 | 20% |
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| Sun 1Fog | Good | 5°/-2° | -5° | 10/13 | 12% |
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| Mon 2Fog | Good | 5°/-2° | -5° | 11/13 | 4% |
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| Tue 3Fog | Good | 6°/-2° | -5° | 16/20 | 2% |
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The Cairnwell 14-day weather forecast: days 8 to 14, less certain
| Day | Verdict | High/low | Feels like | Wind/gust mph | Rain or snow |
|---|
| Wed 4Overcast | Good | 3°/-3° | -6° | 12/15 | 2% |
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| Thu 5Fog | Good | 2°/-3° | -6° | 11/14 | 2% |
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| Fri 6Fog | Good | 3°/0° | -3° | 11/16 | 8% |
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| Sat 7Fog | Good | 3°/0° | -2° | 12/17 | 16% |
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| Sun 8Fog | Good | 3°/-3° | -6° | 17/21 | 19% |
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| Mon 9Moderate drizzle | Marginal | 7°/3° | 1° | 25/32 | 25% |
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| Tue 10Moderate rain showers | Poor | 8°/3° | 0° | 41/52 | 24% |
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Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on The Cairnwell each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 933m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over The Cairnwell 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 07:15, sunset 16:39
9h 25m of daylight. Golden hour ends 08:12 and starts 15:41. From the summit you see the sun 07:07 to 16:46.
Nearby summits
Close to The Cairnwell
About The Cairnwell
The Cairnwell is 933 m (3,061 ft) high with 127 m of prominence. It is in Cairngorms, Scotland. It is the 127th highest of the 525 summits Peakify lists in Cairngorms. The nearest summits are The Cairnwell North Top (0.8 km), Carn Aosda (1.8 km) and Creag a' Choire Dhirich (1.3 km).
How high is The Cairnwell?
The Cairnwell is 933 metres high with 127 metres of prominence.
Where is The Cairnwell?
The Cairnwell is listed in Cairngorms, Scotland.
Are there routes for The Cairnwell?
Peakify lists 4 routes for The Cairnwell, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is The Cairnwell Direct Ascent (3km, Easy).
Is it safe to climb The Cairnwell 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 The Cairnwell tomorrow?
Thursday 29 October: mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 33 mph gusting 41 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.
What is the weather on The Cairnwell this weekend?
Saturday 31 October: light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 20% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunday 1 November: fog, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 10 mph gusting 13 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Good.
What weather information is shown for The Cairnwell?
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.
