Cairngorm Mountains

Range Of Mountains, Range Of Hills in Banffshire

Scotland

Cairngorm Mountains

Rocky outcrop on Cnap Coire na Spreidhe Credit: David Brown

The Cairngorm Mountains, located in Banffshire, Scotland, are a stunning range of mountains that stretch across the eastern part of the Scottish Highlands. This mountain range is part of the larger Grampian Mountains and is renowned for its rugged beauty and vast wilderness.

The Cairngorm Mountains are home to some of the highest peaks in the UK, with Ben Macdui standing at an impressive 1,309 meters (4,295 feet) and Cairn Gorm reaching 1,245 meters (4,084 feet). These towering peaks offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, lochs, and glens.

The area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities such as hiking, mountaineering, skiing, and wildlife watching. The mountains are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species such as the Scottish wildcat and the golden eagle.

The region is also famous for its exceptional snow conditions, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The Cairngorms National Park, established in 2003, covers a significant portion of the mountains and provides protection for the unique ecosystems and habitats found in the area.

Visitors to the Cairngorm Mountains can explore numerous well-maintained trails, including the famous Lairig Ghru, a challenging long-distance hike that cuts through the heart of the range. There are also several mountain passes, such as the Devil's Elbow, which offer stunning vistas and thrilling driving experiences.

Overall, the Cairngorm Mountains in Banffshire are a captivating destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, offering a chance to experience the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

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Cairngorm Mountains Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.116781/-3.6068421 or Grid Reference NJ0204. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Rocky outcrop on Cnap Coire na Spreidhe

David Brown

Avalanche debris below rock slabs

The slabs are above a location named as The Saddle. It seems clear that deep snow lying on the angled slabs fractured and slid down in a modest-sized avalanche. Liz Gray has an image of the slabs without any snow at all - Link .

Trevor Littlewood

Rocks on south-west shoulder of A' ChÃ²inneach

The rough rockiness of the level stretch of the south-west ridge of A' Chòinneach at around 970 metres. A' Chòinneach is a subsidiary top of Bynack More. There's a temperature inversion in the glen to the west beyond which are the peaks, Cairn Gorm and Cnap Coire na Spreidhe.

Trevor Littlewood

Col between A' ChÃ²inneach and Bynack More

A mountain walker climbing for A' Chòinneach with the col between it and Bynack More partly obscured by mist. The Little Barns of Bynack are seen in the distance on the south ridge of Bynack More.

Trevor Littlewood

The path to Loch Avon

The path from Strath Nethy begins its descent from the Saddle. Carn Etchachan can be seen ahead, with the distinctive Shelter Stone Crag to its right. Slopes descending from Beinn Mheadhoin can be seen on the left.

Nigel Brown

Plateau south west of A' ChÃ²inneach

This almost level area is encountered high up on the south west ridge of the mountain. In the distance the crags of Carn Etchachan can be seen, with Ben Macdui rising behind.

Nigel Brown

Looking North down Strath Nethy

Looking down Strath Nethy from the cliffs below point 1028. Ben Rinnes can be seen on the skyline.

I A Smellie

Cairngorm summit from Cnap Coire na Spreidhe

I A Smellie

The Fords o' Avon

Doug Mortimer

Patterned ground on A'Choinneach

This patterning is caused by wind and frost weakening and removing vegetation, leaving granite gravel patches. The vegetation is mostly crowberry (mat-forming), three-leaved rush (turning brown as it's past summer) and the light green racomitrium moss round the stones on the right. It's all easily damaged by further trampling, grazing,etc, but the prognosis is fair. This used to be a Munro summit, but must receive fewer visits now it's been relieved of that responsibility.

Nic Bullivant

Upper slopes of Strath Nethy

The best way to see Strath Nethy is from its upper slopes. I know, having walked along its lower slopes! The gentle gradients of the plateau give way first to this relic of a shallow valley, which was probably water-worn, then suddenly to the steep glacially-eroded rock basin of the glen itself. The close proximity of these different erosion types in the Cairngorms have given rise to a proposal from the UK governemnt that it be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nic Bullivant

Upper Strath Nethy

Strath Nethy is a glacially enlarged valley based on a former water-cut valley, but subsequently its upper end was over-run by active ice moving across it at about 45 degrees to its course. The headwaters of the Nethy have therefore been captured by the Avon, visible beyond as Loch Avon. Some divergent ice would still have funnelled down Strath Nethy, and rocks would have fallen on it from the crags opposite, then to be deposited in blocky moraines in the valley floor. The moraines and the generally poor drainage (visible in the middle distance) make this the roughest path in the Cairngorms, in my opinion. The mountain in the centre is Cairn Gorm and on the far skyline is Ben Macdui, North top.

Nic Bullivant