Coire Raibeirt & Cairn Gorm
1 NJ002015 From the Shelter Stone, follow a path that runs north down to reach the banks of Feith Buidhe. Its fast-flowing waters, which descend from Lochan Buidhe, can be tricky to negotiate, especially when in spate, but several smaller tributaries a little upstream mean it can be crossed with a little care. Once over, follow another path that heads east to reach a gorgeous sandy beach on the shores of Loch Avon. It is an amazing spot surrounded on all sides by precipitous mountain slopes where you feel you are within the heart of the Cairngorms. Beyond the beach the path splits, and here a choice is to be made as the Allt Coire Raibeirt has to be crossed a little further along. If the river is in spate take the lower path alongside Loch Avon to Allt Coire Raibeirt, where a relatively simple crossing is made. If water levels are low keep left onto a path that climbs above the loch, granting fine views across Loch Avon. Initially the route crosses some boulders but soon improves as it rises gradually to Coire Raibeirt (Robert’s Corrie) where, again, the river is easily crossed.
2 NJ008023 After this, a superb path rises in a north-westerly direction, providing a tough but enjoyable pull alongside the river and past a number of waterfalls. It rises 150m in less than 0.5km and therefore if a breather is required then the view down into Loch Avon and across to Beinn Mheadhoin is worth stopping for. In time the gradient eases and the landscape opens out as the head of the corrie is reached, from where the superb path continues across the Central Cairngorm Plateau, bounded by the stony slopes of Cairn Gorm and Stob Coire an t-Sneachda. It is a gradual pull, which soon gains the spectacular Northern Corries to the west of Cairn Gorm. The view across Glenmore Forest Park and Rothiemurchus is exceptional.
3 NH999037 Turn right onto a path that runs near to the edge of the Northern Corries and begin the ascent onto Cairn Gorm. The path runs east but as it rises more steeply it gets lost among the mountain’s bouldery western slopes. Therefore keep on an easterly bearing to gain the 1245m summit and a superb panorama across a vast landscape. Big neighbouring mountains such as Braeriach, Ben Macdui and Beinn Mheadhoin vie for attention, while on a clear day Ben Nevis and the west Highlands are visible.
4 NJ005040 Descend back towards the Northern Corries, but just before returning to the outward-bound route bear right and continue to a large cairn at the northern extremity of the cliffs. Leave the Central Cairngorm Plateau by descending north-west along Fiachaill a’ Choire Chais, a marvellous defined ridge that grants extensive views across Badenoch and Speyside. A path drops steadily across stony ground, but when it veers right keep straight on across grassy slopes, above ski tows. The ridge now descends all the way to a path, where a right turn leads the short distance back to Coire Cas car park.