It always surprises me on the amount of folk who walk up Braeriach and approach through the Chalamain Gap. 21st September, 2011. Rothiemurchus, the Lairig Ghru and the Chalamain Gap Fired by the success of the Bynack More climb the day before, I've resolved to attempt Braeriach - Scotland's third highest mountain - today. The main path now continues southwest, aiming for the rocky defile of the Chalamain Gap. The path repairing is till on going at the Lairig Ghru side of the Chalamain Gap. Further Information. This is the third highest in Scotland but it is its huge corrie, reached at the end of a wonderful, long walk which grabs the attention. The Eag a’ Chait, on the other hand, has a path all the way through its relatively paltry collection of rocks, but is a fascinating feature. Cameron and the rest of the team negotiate the boulder field in the Chalamain Gap We crossed the ski access road from the car park and immediately descended into a pine-tree lined little ravine. The steep climb up the ridge of Sron na Lairige provides amazing views down the Lairig Ghru and across to Lurchers Crag and Ben Macdui. The name "Chalamain Gap" has been applied relatively recently to this ravine, since in Alexander (1928) the author does not name the gap, but describes it - writing: a fine example of the "dry dens" or ravines which are found at various points on the Cairngorms, and which are supposed to have formed by glacier overflows or side streams It is also exceptionally remote and arduous; many will break the route with an overnight stay at Corrour bothy. I wouldn’t fancy trying to cross this in winter conditions as deep snow would make this area particularly dodgy underfoot, but we made fairly quick progress despite the large boulders (this was the first of many bouldery sections of the walk). On the Cairngorms expect winter even in summer, so be prepared for all weathers! Chalamain Gap/Lairig Ghru. There is no need to cross the burn - instead turn right down the near side, soon picking up the clear path from the Lairig Ghru down towards Rothiemurchus. The magnificent walk from Cairn Toul to Braeriach follows the edge of a vast plateau around the Cairngorms' most spectacular corries. Go diagonally across this and take a path off the far side, again coming alongside the Allt Mor. Braeriach linear via the Chalamain Gap . The summit of the mountains was once an observatory built in 1883 … Turn right here onto a path towards Loch Morlich. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate 15 06 2014 I’ve had to do the massive Cairngorm peak of Braeriach twice so far, the first time with Richard and the second time alone, this May, to bag the Munro top of Carn na Criche (4150 feet) which we couldn’t find in the mist on the first visit! Author - Peter Smyly. Go straight across the road onto a rough path here, soon meeting a well-made path that runs parallel to the road - turn right along it. Our running club is looking for a decent day run in the Cairngorms, and one suggestion is to do Braeriach from the Sugar Bowl car park, via the Chalamain Gap, and then returning via the Lairig Ghru into Rothiemurcus and back to Loch Morlich. These must be clambered over to pass through the gap - tiring and difficult terrain that requires care. A variation in the route is suggested for the return from this point. You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk. Please let us know by clicking here. Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine and The Devils Point Climbing is moderate but there is a lot of it. location only) Go to Cairngorm Walks After a couple of kilometres it reaches the uppermost limit of the pinewoods - one of the most magical places in the Cairngorms. Braeriach is Scotland's third highest mountain at 1296m. Ascent - 4500 feet / 1364 metres . Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap Introduction to Walk 2421. People are asked to stay at home except for essential purposes. Length - 15.0 miles / 24.4 km. Cairngorm. Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap Grade - hard Length - 15.0 miles / 24.4 km. From the airy summit of Braeriach on the edge of Coire Brochain, reverse the outgoing route back down as far as the point where the path from the Chalamain Gap entered the Lairig Ghru. Note, this is a demanding and long walk. The visibility was poor in the low-hanging mist, but the temperature was quite warm and so we were all walking without our jackets on. Stage 1. Braeriach has to be an all-time favourite “big” mountain. The route is strenuous and long but rewarding. Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Walk 2421 : Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap. Located on the western side of the Grampian Mountains in Lochaber, the mountain attracts close to 100,000 ascents a year. The section through the Chalamain Gap is very rough, involving clambering over large boulders; there's also a rougher path back up to the Sugar Bowl. County/Area - Highland. On the far side the path climbs steeply. The most usual, quickest route to Braeriach is there-and-back via the Chalamain Gap from the car park part way up the ski-road. Use back button to return to the photo gallery lists. Start - OS grid reference NH985073 Lat 57.145331 + Long -3.6790687 Postcode PH22 1RB (approx. Braeriach – Chalamain Gap or Coylumbridge? Does your firm want to sponsor this route. The route from the Sugarbowl Car Park crosses below the northern corries and passes through the impressive boulder-filled Chalamain Gap, before dropping into the Lairig Ghru. Summary:The magnificent walk from Cairn Toul to Braeriach follows the edge of a vast plateau around the Cairngorms' most spectacular corries. Rating: 4.2/5 (94 votes cast) Detailed route description and map. Path to the Chalamain Gap & looking towards the Cairngorms Before long, we had reached the gap. In some winter conditions the gap can be an avalanche hazard, in which case it may sometimes be safer to pass over Creag a' Chalamain. Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com. Once atop the high bank there are great views looking back over Glen More and the Ryvoan Pass; turn left along the path high above the burn. I always approach Braeriach via alternative routes. Fitness tested to my absolute limits and beyond. Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Cairngorms. At 1,296m, Braeriach is the third highest mountain in the British Isles after Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui. It forms the centerpiece of this grand circular walk that combines many of the finest aspects of the Cairngorms - rocky, bare mountainsides, beautiful pinewoods, and forest lochs. Moving through them is a full body experience weaving left and right, climbing up and down, a hand hold here, a knee used there. Access is available to Walkingworld subscribers or you can buy the walk individually for £1.95 once you are logged in. Starting in the Lairig Ghru, this is a repair and build contract on the path that leads through the Chalamain Gap and towards the Sugar Bowl car park. The route from the Sugarbowl Car Park crosses below the northern corries and passes through the impressive boulder-filled Chalamain Gap, before dropping into the Lairig Ghru. It's a long day out but there are no major obstacles except the rocky Chalamain Gap, which most experienced walkers should have no problem getting through. Braeriach summit is on the edge of the precipitous Coire Brochain with superb views of Cairn Toul, Ben Macdui and the source of the River Dee. It forms the centerpiece of this grand circular walk that combines many of the finest aspects of the Cairngorms - rocky, bare mountainsides, beautiful pinewoods, and forest lochs. Braeriach is Scotland's third highest mountain at 1296m. This stunning stretch of path leads down to a major path junction known as Piccadilly. The Chalamain Gap is a bouldery defile on the path that links the Cairn Gorm ski road with the Lairig Ghru. At Waymark 14 there are steps up to the site of the Sinclair hut - and much of the path thereafter has been reconstructed. Go straight across when a track cuts across the route, continuing through the edge of the Allt Mor car park and keeping ahead to cross a footbridge over the Allt Mor. Join or log in above if you are already a member. Area: Cairngorms Munros: Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine, The Devil’s Point Date walked: 06/07/2010 Time taken: 9 hours 10 mins Distance: 36 km Ascent: 2100m We'll be staying at the Badaguish Outdoor Centre. From waymark 8 the path has been reconstructed to a very high standard almost to the Lairig Ghru. Are you sure you wish to delete this comment? Sugarbowl car park (charge). Do not cross but instead turn sharp left to retrace your steps back to the Sugarbowl. Length - 15.0 miles / 24.4 km. Click for details, Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap Walk. The cliffs on the northern face are the highest in the Scottish Highlands and provide classic rock climbs and scrambles for except mountaineers and climbers, and ice climbing surfaces. Nat Park - Cairngorm. Visibility down to about 50-150 yards all day in snow (may 13th!!!) The slight additional ascent is preferable to the boulders at the end of a tiring day! Once through the gap there are new views ahead to the Sron na Lairige ridge of Braeriach. The Chalamain Gap is a chaotic jumble of boulders cast haphazardly against each other choking the deep narrow notch between Lurchers Crag and Creag Chalamain. The Chalamain Gap itself requires some scrambling as you meander over huge boulders, and it can be a perilous place in the grip of winter conditions. At the next junction of tracks - close by Loch Morlich, turn right to follow the track that heads round the southern side of the loch. The path is well maintained and keeps above the burn, soon swinging round to the west. The path now gives much easier going, though often very exposed to the wind, descending gradually southwest at first before a steeper final descent to reach the Allt Druidh burn that flows down from the Lairig Ghru. Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands. Aviemore, Rothiemurchus and the Northern Cairngorms, Open start point in Google Maps for directions. Bus to Sugarbowl car park, from Aviemore. Scotland is under national lockdown. A challenging walk in the hills of the Cairngorm National Park. From south it is picked up from the track up Creag a' Chalamain. The views from the top are indeed superb! Recommended Books & eBooks. This circular route reaches the summit via the Lairig Ghru and returns via the northern corrie rims and Gleann Einich. As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.There are 1 user reports for this walk - click to read them. Walked in Via Chalamain Gap and Lairig Ghru, camped near corrour Bothy and started from Devils Point. Walking the Munros Vol 2 - Northern Highlands and the Cairngorms. The heavy foot traffic … Coupled with the climb itself, you've got all the components for a classic day in the Cairngorms, … Braeriach - Sgor an Lochain Uaine - Cairn Toul - The Devil's Point. Finished at Corrour Bothy. tomd4: 10/10/2014: Walk with Evelien & Joachim. Walked via Chalamain gap. Bad weather for the second half. rurquhart: 20/08/2014 It is also exceptionally remote and arduous; many will break the route with an overnight stay at Corrour bothy. Braeriach circuit from … Braeriach is Scotland's third highest mountain at 1296m. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Scotland's third-highest mountain rises up above the mighty Lairig Ghru valley in the heart of the Cairngorms. Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Follow the path to Utsi's Bridge reached on the outward route. Open start point in Google Maps for directions. This was a long and gruelling day. ... Nearly a mile and a half further on, after you have dropped to the side of the burn, you are at the Chalamain Gap turn off, on the left. Once over the bridge turn right as the path runs briefly beside the burn - a rough stretch with boulders - and then along some wooden boardwalks before eventually emerging on the road. Braeriach (Scottish Gaelic: Am Bràigh Riabhach) is the third-highest mountain in the British Isles, surpassed only by Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui.It is the highest point in the western massif of the Cairngorms, separated from the central section (containing Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm) by the pass of the Lairig Ghru.The summit has a crescent shape, with several corries. Walk of the week: Braeriach, Cairngorms ... Nearly a mile and a half further on, after you have dropped to the side of the burn, you are at the Chalamain Gap turn-off, on the left. Définitions de chalamain gap, synonymes, antonymes, dérivés de chalamain gap, dictionnaire analogique de chalamain gap (anglais) ... and leading to the bealach between Braeriach and Sron na Lairige. It can be bypassed on the west side by a narrow path which can just be seen on the right at the start of the gap when coming from the north. Mostly well made paths. Eventually it meets a track coming in from your right - keep ahead onto this track. Location Map. Ignore the rougher park that forks off right (towards Rothiemurchus Lodge), instead continue down the main path through the trees, high above the Allt Druidh. The walk begins from the Sugarbowl car park which is part way up the hill road from Glenmore to the Cairn Gorm parking area; there is a parking charge. On the far side of the pass, a few miles further on, there has been extensive recent path repair work at a junction of paths. Time - 12 hours 0 minutes. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums. The route from the Sugarbowl Car Park crosses below the northern corries and passes through the impressive boulder-filled Chalamain Gap, before dropping into the Lairig Ghru. The mountain stands at 4,409 feet above sea level. Photographer : Peter Smyly. Not suitable for cycle access. Grade - hard. The Chalamain Gap is a bouldery defile on the path that links the Cairn Gorm ski road with the Lairig Ghru. Grade - hard. Ignore any tracks off to the right - and some waymarked paths off to the left - to eventually leave Loch Morlich behind, continuing through the pinewoods until the track emerges at the Hayfield car park. The distance by road may be further. The Chalamain Gap is a narrow, rocky pass between Creag a' Chalamain and Lurcher's Crag - a route which is notoriously choked with boulders. Buses from Aviemore go to the Cairn Gorm ski centre near the start point. Ascent - 4500 feet / 1364 metres . Cross the road and take the path opposite, soon descending to reach Utsi's Bridge over the Allt Mor. The centre km of the Lairig Ghru and the Chalamain Gap have significant boulder fields which will be hazardous in the dark. The passage through the Chalamain Gap is challenging as the boulders are large and hard to negotiate. The first part of the walk is exposed, and strong winds can slow progress, but there's an enjoyable scramble in the Chalamain Gap and crossing of the Lairig Ghru. The Cairngorm National Park was formed in 2003 to protect the unique aspects of the area. Author - Peter Smyly. This is a very popular path with people heading into the Ghru and also upon to Braeriach and the surrounding mountains. W ith its wide rolling plateau and monumental corrie system Scotland's third highest mountain is also one of its most interesting and impressive. Boulder-fields on the ascents, made more difficult and dangerous under snow cover. There are great views ahead of the Northern Corries of Cairn Gorm. Note: The distances quoted to other walks in the vicinity are measured in a straight line. From this point one path climbs to Braeriach and another goes through the Chalamain Gap to the Cairngorm Ski Centre. Copyright ©1999, ©2021 Walkingworld Ltd. All rights reserved | Credits. Eventually it descends to cross the tiny burn of the Caochain Dubh a' Chadha; ignore a rougher path that heads off right for the Eag a' Chait. This has been viewed 7,192 times. Begin the walk from the information board, taking the path to the left of it that climbs up to soon meet the road. using a map and compass. However the route described here makes a circular route and also benefits from a start through the Caledonian Pinewoods. And impressive you found an error braeriach chalamain gap is any information wrong or missing the far side, coming! Map and compass climbs to Braeriach and approach through the Caledonian Pinewoods 's. 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