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Autumn colour in the pass below the hills.
Cairngorms

The Lairig Ghru

The hill pass through the central Cairngorms from Speyside to Deeside, rising to 835 metres.

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The Lairig Ghru is a great trench through the central Cairngorms from Speyside to Deeside, which Walkhighlands calls the best known hill pass in Scotland.

The Rothiemurchus estate gives its Gaelic name, Làirig Dhrù, as the pass of the Druie. The classic crossing starts at Coylumbridge, near Aviemore, and runs through the pinewoods of Rothiemurchus before climbing into the pass, which reaches 835 metres.

This is a serious walk. It covers 30.5 kilometres in eight to ten hours, with 810 metres of ascent, through very remote and exposed terrain where help is a long way off, and it is often snow-bound in winter. The path disappears several times on the roughest kilometre or so near the top, so carry a map and a backup means of navigation, and check the mountain weather forecast before you set out. It is a one-way walk that finishes at Linn of Dee on Deeside, so arrange your return before you start.

Not farBalmoral Arms17 milesSee itBalmoral Arms
Before you go

Walkhighlands describes this as a serious walk, so read the safety row before you plan it.

Where
The classic start is at Coylumbridge, near Aviemore on Speyside, and the walk finishes at the Linn of Dee car park on Deeside.
Distance
30.5 km (19 miles) with 810 m of ascent, in 8 to 10 hours; the pass reaches 835 m. Walkhighlands names the Ordnance Survey map for the route as Explorer OL57 Cairn Gorm.
Open
An open hill route with no opening hours; it is often snow-bound in winter.
Price
Free: the Rothiemurchus estate welcomes walkers on its paths free of charge.
Parking
At Coylumbridge, park at the side of the road and take the lane beside the entrance to the Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park. Walkhighlands says the Sugar Bowl car park is the most popular start these days, with a route through the Chalamain Gap, an awkward boulder field, though that leaves out the approach through Rothiemurchus Forest. Whitewell and Loch an Eilein are other possible starts.
Dogs
Keep dogs on a short lead in the Rothiemurchus woods between 1 April and 15 August, the breeding season of the capercaillie.
Getting there
Stagecoach's Adventurer service 30 from Aviemore rail station stops at Coylumbridge; check the current timetable before you go. The walk is one way and finishes at the Linn of Dee on Deeside, so arrange your return before you set out.
Access
The paths are clear for most of the distance but are lost among the stones on the very rough highest section, where for about a kilometre the path disappears several times.
Safety
A serious walk through very remote and exposed terrain, where help is a long way off, and it is often snow-bound in winter. Rivers and burns can rise rapidly and become impassable, so be ready to turn back. Carry a paper map, a compass and a headtorch, and a backup means of navigation: do not rely on a single phone, app or map. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out, and in winter the avalanche forecast, which the Scottish Avalanche Information Service generally publishes from mid-December to early April, depending on snow cover. Walkhighlands advises that hillwalking in winter should be regarded as mountaineering.

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Where it is

Through the central Cairngorms, from Coylumbridge on Speyside to the Linn of Dee on Deeside.

Close byNearby.
  1. Wooden footbridge over a rocky river surrounded by pine forestLinn of Quoich3 miles 11 min by road
  2. Linn of DeeLinn of Dee3 miles 8 min by road
  3. The WatchersThe Watchers3 miles 8 min by road
  4. The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion at Braemar, green timber under red roofs and a white clock tower.Braemar Highland Games CentreThe story of the Highland games and the Braemar Gathering, in a pavilion by the games park.4 miles 8 min by road
  5. Loch an EileinLoch an EileinA loch in the Rothiemurchus pinewoods, with a castle ruin on its island and a three-mile path round the shore.17 miles as the crow flies
  6. The Barn at RothiemurchusThe Barn at RothiemurchusThe café at the Rothiemurchus Centre by Aviemore, with a wood-burning stove, Cullen skink and cheese scones, and a corner for dogs.18 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Gordon's glass counter of cakes under its chalkboard sign in Braemar.CafeThe Gordon’s Tearoom Braemar3.9 miles
Bertie's Whisky Bar, red velvet chairs among walls of bottles in lamplight.RestaurantsBertie's Whisky Bar4.0 miles
The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireRestaurantsThe Flying Stag4.0 miles
The white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.BarsFarquharson's Bar and Kitchen4.0 miles
The Bothy's wood-lined café room in Braemar, a dog at the big windows over the river.CafeThe Bothy Braemar4.1 miles
Saltire flag flies above the Fife Arms Hotel's stepped gablesAttractionsBraemar4.1 miles
A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.WalksCreag Choinnich4.3 miles
Sitting room with white fireplace, portrait and framed prints, sofas draped in floral coversAttractionsBraemar Castle4.8 miles
Loch Callater lying in its glen between heather slopes and hills.WalksLoch Callater8.6 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the pass, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran House
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Crathie
  • 11 miles from the Lairig Ghru
Free 24–26 OctTwo grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.Old School Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Ballater
  • 14 miles from the Lairig Ghru
Free 28–30 OctA grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.Gairnshiel Lodge
  • Sleeps 16
  • In Glengairn
  • 14 miles from the Lairig Ghru
Free 24–26 OctA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ballater
  • 14 miles from the Lairig Ghru
Free 24–26 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in the CairngormsAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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