Follow the path to Utsi's Bridge reached on the outward route. Do not cross but instead turn sharp left to retrace your steps back to the Sugarbowl. Photographer : Peter Smyly. This is a very popular path with people heading into the Ghru and also upon to Braeriach and the surrounding mountains. 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. 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. Braeriach linear via the Chalamain Gap . People are asked to stay at home except for essential purposes. Note, this is a demanding and long walk. Coupled with the climb itself, you've got all the components for a classic day in the Cairngorms, … Author - Peter Smyly. 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. 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. Moving through them is a full body experience weaving left and right, climbing up and down, a hand hold here, a knee used there. Author - Peter Smyly. It is also exceptionally remote and arduous; many will break the route with an overnight stay at Corrour bothy. However the route described here makes a circular route and also benefits from a start through the Caledonian Pinewoods. 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. Braeriach – Chalamain Gap or Coylumbridge? Copyright ©1999, ©2021 Walkingworld Ltd. All rights reserved | Credits. Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap Walk. Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com. Braeriach circuit from … location only) Go to Cairngorm Walks Open start point in Google Maps for directions. 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. Click for details, Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Go diagonally across this and take a path off the far side, again coming alongside the Allt Mor. 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. Start - OS grid reference NH985073 Lat 57.145331 + Long -3.6790687 Postcode PH22 1RB (approx. Begin the walk from the information board, taking the path to the left of it that climbs up to soon meet the road. Ascent - 4500 feet / 1364 metres . Stage 1. This was a long and gruelling day. Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Length - 15.0 miles / 24.4 km. From waymark 8 the path has been reconstructed to a very high standard almost to the Lairig Ghru. 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. On the Cairngorms expect winter even in summer, so be prepared for all weathers! Please let us know by clicking here. Further Information. The Chalamain Gap is a bouldery defile on the path that links the Cairn Gorm ski road with the Lairig Ghru. 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. 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. Not suitable for cycle access. Chalamain Gap/Lairig Ghru. 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. Once through the gap there are new views ahead to the Sron na Lairige ridge of Braeriach. Walked in Via Chalamain Gap and Lairig Ghru, camped near corrour Bothy and started from Devils Point. 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. 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. I always approach Braeriach via alternative routes. Walk 2421 : Braeriach via the Chalamain Gap. 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. This has been viewed 7,192 times. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Location Map. 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. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate The path is well maintained and keeps above the burn, soon swinging round to the west. 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. Boulder-fields on the ascents, made more difficult and dangerous under snow cover. using a map and compass. 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. Note: The distances quoted to other walks in the vicinity are measured in a straight line. 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. 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. 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 passage through the Chalamain Gap is challenging as the boulders are large and hard to negotiate. Located on the western side of the Grampian Mountains in Lochaber, the mountain attracts close to 100,000 ascents a year. 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. Bus to Sugarbowl car park, from Aviemore. Mostly well made paths. 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 Aviemore, Rothiemurchus and the Northern Cairngorms, Open start point in Google Maps for directions. Join or log in above if you are already a member. On the far side the path climbs steeply. 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. Sugarbowl car park (charge). Visibility down to about 50-150 yards all day in snow (may 13th!!!) From south it is picked up from the track up Creag a' Chalamain. Rating: 4.2/5 (94 votes cast) Detailed route description and map. 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. 21st September, 2011. 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