Lochnagar and the White Mounth
Five Munros round Loch Muick: dark Lochnagar's cliffs, then the high White Mounth plateau to Broad Cairn.
- Distance
- 28 km
- Ascent
- 1230 m
- Time
- 8.5–11.5 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 1156 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Lochnagar and the White Mounth is a hard 28 km circular walk with 1,230 m of ascent, taking 8.5 to 11.5 hours. It starts at Spittal of Glenmuick (grid reference NO 308 851). It climbs 5 listed hills, the highest Cac Carn Beag (Lochnagar) at 1,156 m.
Lochnagar, celebrated by Byron as 'dark Lochnagar', is the finest mountain in the eastern Highlands, with a huge corrie of granite cliffs above its lochan. From the Spittal of Glenmuick, the route climbs to the col by the Meikle Pap and up to the summit, Cac Càrn Beag.
It continues round the White Mounth plateau over Carn a' Choire Bhòidheach, Carn an t-Sagairt Mòr and Cairn Bannoch to Broad Cairn, then descends to Loch Muick and back along the loch. A long, high day.
Route
-
1
Lochnagar
Follow the path to the col by the Meikle Pap and climb round the corrie rim to the summit.
-
2
The White Mounth
Follow the plateau south-west over Carn a' Choire Bhòidheach and Carn an t-Sagairt Mòr.
-
3
Broad Cairn
Continue east over Cairn Bannoch to Broad Cairn.
-
4
Loch Muick
Descend to Loch Muick and follow the track back to the car park.
Summits
Cac Carn Beag (Lochnagar)
1156 m
1110 m
1047 m
1011 m
997 m
Other routes up these hills
Questions about this walk
- How long does Lochnagar and the White Mounth take?
- Most walkers take 8.5–11.5 hours for the 28 km route, which has 1,230 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Spittal of Glenmuick (grid reference NO 308 851). Balmoral Estate car park at the Spittal of Glenmuick (charge).
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. Good paths, then a high, stony plateau; bouldery summits.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Cac Carn Beag (Lochnagar) (1156 m, Munro); Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach (1110 m, Munro); Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (1047 m, Munro); Cairn Bannoch (1011 m, Munro); Broad Cairn (997 m, Munro).
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Deer stalking takes place on these hills from mid-August to October. Stick to the main paths and check Heading for the Scottish Hills before you go. Part of the Balmoral Estate.
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Walks nearby
All walks near Ballater
Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach from Spittal of Glenmuick
Spittal of Glenmuick
23.4 km · 1060 m · 7–9.5 h
