© Copyright Dominic Rhodes 2014-2017

The summit of Ben Macdui (on the right), from the plateau.

 

Meaning - Mountain of the son of Duff

Summit Location - NN9890, 9894

Height - 1309m

Munro Number - 2

 

Distance - 15.5km

Total Ascent - 814m

Estimated Time - 7hrs (Beginner).

Difficulty - 3/5

OS Explorer Map - OL57

 

Climbed - 2006

Weather - Tropical!

 

Ben Macdui is the highest mountain in the Cairngorm range and second highest highest in the UK. It can be reached in a day, thanks to the high car park at Coire Cas, although this will make for a long day. Instead, I'd recommend taking a tent and taking the time to appreciate the stillness and isolation of the summit plateau. This could even allow for a continuation of the walk to discover even more of the Cairngorms, as Ben Macdui is very much at it's heart. A word of warning though, Ben Macdui is reported haunted by Am Fear Liath Mor or the Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui.

Several walkers and climbers have reported seeing this yeti-like creature only for it to disappear into the mist. Others have reported hearing footprints or even seeing giant footprints. An overnight stop here is not for the faint hearted!

 

This route up the ridge to the west of Coire an Lochan avoids walking through the ski area in Coire Cas. It first follows a well marked path, which begins to become more patchy as you climb steeply onto the plateau. Once on the plateau, more careful navigation is needed as route finding can be difficult, particularly in the poor visibility that is all too common. Don't be fooled by the fine weather in these photos. Should the weather turn bad, the plateau can be a difficult place to escape from. Snowfall is possible in any month, as are hurricane force winds. Winter blizzards can be a killer. If conditions deteriorate you should give serious consideration to either turning back, or descending to lower ground. The hill will still be there another day, make sure you are too!

 

There was no sign of such unpleasant weather the day of my climb, though the steep slog onto the plateau
was hard work in the baking heat. You’re soon rewarded by a glimpse of the rounded peak of Ben Macdui itself. It looks to be fairly close but you seem to walk forever to get to it!

 

Oncce at the top, there are plenty of options to extend your hike should you wish. Remember that the summit of Ben Macdui is around a 15km round trip from the Coire Cas car park, you may need to plan on spending a night in this deep mountain wilderness. Corrour bothy in the Lairig Ghru is one possible option - though this gets busy so always take a tent!

 

I continued down to Loch Etchachan, my campsite for the evening. On the way down I observed a small patch of snow of the east face of Macdui, remarkable it had lasted so long given the baking heat! Once at the loch there were already five or six tents pitched - plenty of others were taking advantage of the fine conditions. I woudn’t recommend a swim in the loch, I dipped and it was freezing. As the sun set below the mountains to the west the air quickly chilled.

 

The next day I made for Beinn Mheadhoin and then back to the ski access road by way of Bynack Mor, An Lurg and the Ryvoan Pass.  

 

Route

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 - Start at the Coire Cas car park. Follow a path to the southwest along the corrie floor.

 

2 - After about 1.5km you will start to climb steeply towards the plateau.

 

3 - Continue climbing for about 1km, until the terrain starts to level (around the spot height at 1083m, NH 9754, 0242).

 

4 - Continue up another short steep section onto the plateau. Locahn Buidhe should be visible (except when covered by snow), to your right.

 

5 - After a further kilometre you will start to climb again towards the summit (which is at the southernmost trig. point. A second trig point marks the spot height at 1295 some 500m to the north).

 

6 - Return by route of ascent. Alternatively, many other Cairngorm peaks can be reached from here, though be alert to the long distance back to the road - you may need to consider planning to spend a night.

 

 

The photos in this gallery include day two of the hike, which continued to Beinn Mheadhoin and Bynack More

 

Ben Macdui

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