Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 47 out of 48 hikers
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Cairngorms National Park
Càrn Aosda and its neighbouring summit, the Cairnwell, are perhaps the two most accessible Munro summits in the Scottish Highlands. This is thanks to the A93, the Old Military Road over the Cairnwell Pass, which reaches a high point of 2,199 feet (670 m) and is the highest main road in Britain. This means that there’s only another 810 feet (247 m) of ascent to reach the 3,009-foot (917 m) summit.
The region is also home to the Glenshee Snowsports Centre and the infrastructure that comes with it. Due to the lifts, ski runs and access tracks across their eastern flanks, many regard Càrn Aosda and the Cairnwell as two of the least aesthetically pleasing Munros in Scotland. However, for a speedy summit tick, they’re hard to beat.
One of the most easily accessed Munros in Scotland
This ease of access usually means that Càrn Aosda and the Cairnwell are bagged together, along with Càrn a’ Gheòidh, a higher Munro to the west that rewards you with a wilder impression of the landscape from its mossy surroundings. To avoid the ski paraphernalia and properly earn your elevation, a less-trodden approach up Càrn Aosda’s long north ridge, via Carn Chrionaidh, is recommended.
The views are extensive from the summit, with the rounded mountains of the Mounth to the east and the distant giants of the Cairngorms to the north. In the shoulder seasons, the panorama is often speckled with white, while in full on winter you can expect pretty much everything to be snow covered.
At the northern end of the Pass, the village of Braemar is the obvious choice for accommodation and amenities.
Càrn Aosda is one of the easiest and quickest Munros to climb. You can make an extremely quick ascent using the tracks from the ski-centre but a much less frequented and longer ascent can be made from the north, along the Carn Chrionaidh ridge.
February 6, 2019
Starting high at the ski centre, this Munro can be reached in little over 1/2 hour if not less. Along with the other two Munros to the west of Glenshee, this is likely one of the shortes munro days you can have.
October 9, 2021
Beautiful views over the Cairngorms, espacially during the winter time with all this snow and snow hares jumping around. On the top there is a small shelter so one can take a small breake to have some tea or so and is protected from the cold winds.
December 20, 2020
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