Region: Ben Macdui, Cairngorm Plateau, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Places To Stay: Aviemore is the main hub for hikers exploring the Cairngorms, with plenty of lodges, hostels and cosy hotels. Try: Stay in Aviemore or check more Cairngorms Accommodation.
Looking for more Scottish mountain walks? Try Cairn Gorm, Braeriach, or Lochnagar.
All my walking guides and adventures are free to read, thanks to the support of kind folks like you. That said, creating and walking each route takes time (and plenty of coffee!), so if you’ve enjoyed this post or found it useful, feel free to share it around — or even treat me to a coffee or two. It really helps keep the boots moving and the guides coming. You can do that here: click this link. Diolch as always!
The Ben Macdui Circular is one of the most epic high-level hikes in the Cairngorms. At 29km, it’s a full mountain day that takes you across vast plateaus, past alpine lochans, and up to the summit of Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in the UK. Remote, wild and incredibly scenic, this route rewards strong hikers with an unforgettable experience in one of Scotland’s true mountain heartlands.
Looking for Cheap Flights? Try the Skyscanner Flight Checker Below.
This is how I find my ‘Flight Tickets‘, I fly when the price suits my budget. Inverness is the closest airport to Aviemore and the Cairngorms
Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link
- Start point: Linn of Dee Car Park, Braemar, Ballater (postcode: AB35 5YJ)
- Google Maps link: Linn of Dee Car Park
- Download the GPX file here for use on your GPS device or watch
- You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile
Hike Profile
- Distance: 18 miles / 29 km (circular)
- Duration: 9 hours
- Highest point: 1,309m / 4,295ft (Ben Macdui summit)
- Difficulty: Hard – long distance, exposed terrain, and navigation needed
- Route conditions: Mountain paths, boulder fields, and some snow patches possible into late spring
Sim Local can reduce or even eliminate your roaming fees. Click www.simlocal.com/ + 10% Discount Using – ‘WELSHMAN’
Hike Description
You’ll start from the Linn of Dee Car Park and rise steadily through the Northern Corries, along the Derry Lodge Trail gaining elevation with every step until you emerge onto the vast, boulder-strewn plateau. The first peak you will arrive at is Derry Cairngorm at 1155m, then onto Creagan ai Choire Etchachan.
From there you head South West toward the remote summit of Ben Macdui (1,309m), surrounded by endless sky and sweeping views across the Cairngorms and beyond. On a clear day, you’ll see as far as Ben Nevis and the Grampians.
The descent loops you back via Lochan Uaine and the stunning Cairngorm Mountains, one of the wildest-feeling places in the UK. The route finishes with a long trek South across the plateau, joining up with the Cairngorms Trekking trail and then back onto the Derry Lodge Trail before returning to the Linn of Dee Car Park.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.
I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.
Ben Macdui Circular Walk – 29km Cairngorms - 3D VideoThis hike requires good navigation skills and solid fitness, but the rewards are off the charts, especially in good weather. Expect solitude, mountain hares, ptarmigans, and pure Highland wilderness. This is not one for beginners, but for experienced walkers, it’s one of the most memorable routes in Scotland.
Ben Macdui Walk FAQs
Is this hike suitable for beginners?
What’s the best time of year to do it?
Can I do this in winter?
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
Where can I park?
Is the route signposted?
Are there toilets or facilities on the route?
What kit should I bring?
Is there mobile signal?
Can I wild camp on the route?
Water-to-Go Named Best Watter Bottle for Travel. Click www.watertogo.eu + 20% Discount Using – ‘WMW20’