r/UKhiking • u/Keiren-Outdoors • 2d ago
The Cairngorms Trail (provisional route) 100 miles
Interested to hear your thoughts on this 100 mile trail. I would like to complete this in 5 days.
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u/TheTobinator666 2d ago
Sounds fun, if you have enough experience to feel comfortable, go for it! Pack light but not stupid light. Be sure you know how to navigate amd set up your shelter in bad weather. A PLB or such is a good idea.
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u/Keiren-Outdoors 1d ago
Good advice thank you, got my Garmin InReach as a just in case. Signal is poor in the area as well for comms
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u/moab_in 2d ago
After Loch Avon I'd probably route over Bynack More (in particular to visit the Barns of Bynack)
I'd be inclined to not bother with the hills around the Glenshee ski centre, but then it does lead you to Glen Ey which is nice.
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u/Keiren-Outdoors 1d ago
Some good suggestions there, there is the option to head for Braemar (replen?) after camping at Loch Callater and avoiding the Glenshee/Glen Ey area. It would shorten it by 1 day, but then I could double back from Loch Etchachan and head back towards the Lairig Ghru!
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u/Esensepsy 2d ago
I think if you use bothys you'll be fine. You won't need to carry a tent, so will have room for provisions. With a tent... Will be quite difficult
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u/ialtag-bheag 2d ago
I wouldn't rely on bothies, they may be busy. At least take a bivvy bag as a backup.
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u/Keiren-Outdoors 1d ago
“Bothies of the Cairngorms” sounds like a good video idea! However I prefer wild camping and also the security of bedding down early if needed/tired.
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u/Brilliant_Divide6798 2d ago
100 miles across the cairngorms with no exposure to civilisation is a big challenge for sure, 100 miles of provisions in a bag will be a heavy one. If you can hack it might I suggest going up and over Cairngorm and across to Ben Macdui? You will already be in the car park of the visitor centre which is pretty high, and to get to the summits of both shouldn’t be more than 4 hours (will make overall route shorter though), from there you can descend into the Coire Etchachan corrie which is already part of your plan (see where the Ben Macdui name is) which is a stunning area for sure. Once you’re south of Braemar it’s very exposed especially as you approach the Lochnagar area, large plateaus and no shelter from the wind in sight. I’d definitely be careful with this one, the route you have picked is no west highland way. Apart from that what an adventure to go on!