A walk up Cairn Gorm and the funicular down

A walk · Aviemore

Cairn Gorm – Up the Windy Ridge, Down by the Funicular

2¾ miles2½ hoursa hill

paid parkingdogs on a leadtoilets

The funicular on Cairn Gorm takes walkers one way only: down.

So this day climbs the mountain on foot from the Coire Cas car park, by the Windy Ridge to the top station and on to the summit. Then it's lunch high up at the Ptarmigan and the railway back to the car. It suits fit walkers happy on a mountain path, and a dog can come too.

Where it starts

Start at the Coire Cas car park at the Base Station, with over 400 spaces: the first 45 minutes free, then £3.50 for a day of up to eight hours, paid by QR code or at the machine outside the Base Station before you leave; free with a Blue Badge.

Directions to the start

Is it for me?

Tap who is coming, or the day you have, for the answer on this walk.

Before you go

On the path

About two and a half hours on foot: about 4.5 km, with about 600 metres of climbing. A steep mountain path on uneven ground, for walkers on foot. A steep climb of about 600 metres to over 1,200 metres up: for children who already walk hills.

Good to know

May to October. On a lead and under close control on the mountain, especially in the nesting season; a dog that walked up may ride the railway down. Toilets in the Base Station before you set off, and at the top station.

The walk

Park in the Coire Cas car park at the top of the ski road, outside the Base Station. The way up is the Windy Ridge path, which climbs the east side of Coire Cas, with the view opening out behind you over Loch Morlich and the Glenmore forest to the Ryvoan Pass. The path reaches the Ptarmigan, the railway's top station, at 1,097 metres, and the summit path goes on to the top of Cairn Gorm, 1,245 metres up, with the plateau stretching away towards Ben Macdui. Then come back down to the Ptarmigan for lunch.

That's about 4.5 km on well-made mountain paths, with about 600 metres of climbing: allow two and a half hours on foot. Keep to the centre of the built paths. Wear boots, and carry waterproofs, warm layers, water and a map and compass. The railway asks for no large rucksacks, so a small day pack is best.

Read the mountain forecast and the Mountain Report that morning: the railway runs weather permitting, so go up ready to walk back down the same way. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

If it rains

In rain, wind or low cloud, save the hill for a clear day. The Lower Cas Loop, a gentle 1.5 km from the Day Lodge up beside the railway and back, still makes a short walk, with the Cairngorm Café in the Day Lodge to dry off in.

Afterwards

The Ptarmigan Restaurant
Lunch
Lunch is at the Ptarmigan Restaurant in the top station, which calls itself the UK's highest restaurant. It serves soups and sandwiches and hot dishes such as venison chilli and Speyside beef curry, with vegetarian, vegan and children's choices. Hot food stops at 3pm, and there's no need to book. Walkers who have come up on foot can come inside, dogs too. Afterwards, buy a ticket down at the Shop at the Top: £11.50 for an adult, £6.50 for 6 to 17s and £2 for a dog. The funicular takes about eight minutes down to the Base Station, beside the car park. The last train down is at 4.30pm.

After the walk

Coffee and cake, something to do with the rest of the day, and dinner, nearest the end of the walk first.

Straight after

The Cairngorm Café at the foot of the mountain.

0 min by roadA caféCairngorm CaféThe café at the foot of Cairngorm Mountain, with wood-burning fires, a terrace over the hills and hot food after a day on the hill.

The Barn at Rothiemurchus, a timber building under the pines.

18 min by roadA caféThe 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.

26 min by roadA caféRoute 7 CaféA family café upstairs on the Dalfaber estate at the edge of Aviemore, with hearty food, lighter dishes and a welcome for dogs.

With the rest of the day

A reindeer with velvet-covered antlers walks across moorland grass, more of the herd grazing beneath a lone pine tree and forested hills beyond.

7 min by roadThings to doCairngorm Reindeer CentreBritain's only free-ranging reindeer, on the Cairngorm slopes above Glenmore, brought back in 1952, with guided Hill Trips most days.

Aerial view of a dark blue lochan surrounded by pine trees and patchy snow

8 min by roadThings to doAn Lochan UaineThe green lochan of the Ryvoan Pass above Glenmore, reached by the Ryvoan Trail from the visitor centre and said to be the fairies' washing place.

Aerial view of mist rising from a dense pine forest, dark mountain ridges fading into cloud along the horizon.

8 min by roadThings to doLoch MorlichThe highest beach in Britain, golden sand on a loch of the Glenmore pinewoods, with watersports and the Cairngorms beyond.

For dinner

La Taverna in Aviemore, 19 minutes by road. A family-run Italian restaurant and pizzeria at the south end of Aviemore, facing the Cairngorms, open Thursday to Monday.

The Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore, 20 minutes by road. A pub on the bank of the Spey in Aviemore, once a gamekeeper's cottage, with a log fire, seasonal cooking and dinner every evening.

The Rowan Tree Country Hotel in Alvie, 22 minutes by road. A small family-run hotel overlooking Loch Alvie, three miles south of Aviemore, whose restaurant serves dinner every evening to anyone who books.