Cairn Toul and Sgòr an Lochain Uaine from the Linn of Dee

The walk starts at the Linn of Dee car park near Braemar and goes out and back. A track leads up Glen Lui past Derry Lodge, where a footbridge leads on to the Glen Luibeg path, and a path follows the glen to the Luibeg Footbridge. The Lairig Ghru path then runs on to Corrour bothy, 13 km from the car park. Beyond the bothy the path climbs beside the Allt a' Choire Odhair into Coire Odhar, crossing the burn twice, and goes on over Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir to the rim of the corries. It reaches the boulder-strewn summit of Cairn Toul (1,292 m), drops to a bealach and climbs to Sgòr an Lochain Uaine (1,258 m). Return the same way.

It is 36.3 km with 1,411 m of ascent; allow about 13 hours. The grade is Strenuous: about three quarters of the distance is the approach and the return, and about 4 km of the path above Corrour is mapped as demanding mountain hiking. Start early, and think about breaking the day with a night at Corrour bothy, an open shelter that the Mountain Bothies Association looks after.

Both tops stand on the edge of big cliffs, and the plateau round them has few landmarks. In cloud you need map, compass and the skill to use them, and the judgement to turn back. In winter the corries hold snow and cornices, and this is a mountaineering day that needs an ice axe and crampons. The burns above Corrour can rise quickly after rain or snowmelt; the crossings at Derry Lodge and on the Luibeg Burn are bridged. The Heading for the Scottish Hills stalking table lists no stalking issues on this National Trust for Scotland ground.

The Linn of Dee car park is a pay car park (OpenStreetMap lists a fee).

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.