Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse

The magnificent walk from Cairn Toul and Braeriach follows the edge of a vast plateau around the Cairngorms' most spectacular corries. It is also exceptionally remote and arduous and usually involves an overnight stay at Corrour bothy. This can be approached either from the Linn of Dee to the south leaving a very long return, or via the Chlamain Gap from the Sugar Bowl car park on Speyside - the latter route making the traverse possible in a single epic day for the extremely fit.

Terrain - Rough paths to Corrour bothy (extremely rough boulder field in the Chlamain Gap) followed by a steep ascent to the plateau. The terrain on the traverse is mostly straightforward rocky tundra. However there are huge cliffs close to much of the route, it is extremely exposed to bad weather and navigation can be very difficult. For this reason, together with its great length and the lack of escape routes, this walk has been given a grade of 5.

Grade 5

Distance 36km (22.4 miles)

Ascent 1450m (4757ft)