Walk 2607 - printer friendly version

Lairig Ghru & Chalamain Gap from Glenmore Walk

Author - Paul Gasson

Length - 11.0 miles / 17.9 km

Ascent - 1600 feet / 485 metres

Grade - mod/hard

Start - OS grid reference NH976098
Lat 57.167578 + Long -3.6949619
Postcode PH22 1QY (approx. location only)

This route starts at the Glenmore Visitor Centre approximately 4 miles east of Aviemore and reached off the B970 at Coylumbridge. Although not including any high peaks in the Cairngorms, the walk nevertheless includes some rough mountain walks with intimate views of this magnificent landscape.

Leave the Visitor Centre and walk east towards Loch Morlich to locate the cycleway on the north side of the road. Cross the outfall from Loch Morlich by the bridge and enter Rothiemurchus forest. Follow the forest road from about 1.6 km (1 mile) to a sign for Lairig Ghru.

Follow the footpath for 1.3 km (0.8 miles) to an obvious crossroad ( Piccadilly). Go left here to approach the Lairig Ghru on a rough hill path with some exposed sections above the Allt Druidh. Continue on this path for 4.5k (3 miles) climbing steadily from Piccadilly to reach the point where the path crosses the Allt Druidh at around the 600 metre contour.

Do not cross the river instead turning due North from here. The route climbs gently on a rough path to reach the Chalamain Gap. This ravine is completely choked by boulders and care is needed not to twist an ankle with easy scrambling for about 0.5 km before emerging onto a good hill path across the moor.

This moorland path eventually enters the ravine of the Allt Choire Chais which is crossed by a footbridge, from where an excellent path leads to the Ski Road some 2 km. from the start. The road walk can be avoided by crossing the road and continuing on a footpath on the other side of the road which crosses the Allt Mor on a footbridge and rejoins the road at Hayfield, close to the start.

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