Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm

This is one of the great classic hikes of the Scottish Highlands, combining the two highest peaks in the Cairngorms: Ben Macdui (1,309 m, the second-highest mountain in the UK) and Cairn Gorm (1,245 m). The route offers a full day out on the high plateau, where vast skies, wild tundra-like landscapes, and sweeping mountain views create a true sense of scale and remoteness. The walk begins at the Cairngorm Ski Centre, climbing steadily up the shoulder of Cairn Gorm. From its summit, you’ll enjoy spectacular views across the northern corries and deep into the Cairngorm plateau. The route then continues across the vast, windswept high ground towards Ben Macdui, where the landscape feels Arctic in scale and atmosphere. At the summit cairn of Ben Macdui, the panorama is unforgettable: across Loch Avon to the wild heart of the Cairngorms, southwards to Braeriach and the Lairig Ghru, and on clear days, west to Ben Nevis itself. Returning via the March Burn or Fiacaill a’ Choire Chais completes a challenging but deeply rewarding circuit. This is a demanding mountain hike, requiring stamina, navigation skills, and respect for the Cairngorms’ unpredictable weather—but it offers an unparalleled experience of Scotland’s high country.