These longer routes may start to incorporate more mountainous or more remote terrain. As always, make sure you have the appropriate skills and experience before setting off.
1. The Chalamain Gap Loop
Start and Finish: Hayfield Car Park
Distance: 17-19km depending on route
Strava Route
Walkhighlands have an excellent description of this route which starts and finishes at the Sugarbowl car park, which is a little further up the hill than the usual Cairngorm Runners starting point at Hayfield. The highlights include outstanding views of the Northern Corries and Glenmore, the adventurous trail through the Gap itself and a brilliant descent from the Lairig Ghru back down into the pine woods. A classic!
2. Twin Peaks
Start and Finish: Coylumbridge Layby
13km as marked, additions below
Strava Route
A Cairngorm Runners classic and one for fans out the out and back. From the Coylumbridge layby, take the left fork at the base of the Coylumbridge triangle and continue out and over the Cairngorm Club Bridge. When reaching Picadilly runners may chose to turn round (roughly 10km all in) or continue straight ahead until reaching the gravel forest road junction which leads to either Rothiemurchus Lodge or Loch Morlich. The Twin Peaks route as marked returns back the way we came to the layby however for those that wish to extend, a right turn takes you on a steep hill climb to Rothiemurchus Lodge, the out and back to here being about 10 miles/16km. While a left turn takes you to the Loch Morlich carpark where runners can close the loop to their car by heading down the Old Logging Way back to the layby.
Backharn Trail
Start: Nethy Bridge Community Hall
Finish: Runners will have a choice of re-joining the Speyside Way into Grantown or returning to Nethy Bridge.
Distance: 11.5km to the Smokehouse, your choice of endpoint will determine the final distance.
Strava Route
Waymarked trail from Nethy Bridge to Grantown offering more of a challenge than the Speyside Way. Returning to Nethy Bridge via the Speyside Way adds about 8km and is a very pleasant loop. Nethy House and KJ's Bothy Bakery offer a great selection of coffee and treats at either end of the trail.
Note: At some times of year this trail passes through a short section of field that may contain livestock, please ensure all dogs are kept on leads here and on under close control on the rest of the trail as you will be passing through an area of sensitive wildlife.
Cromdale Skyline
Start: A939 Layby near Lynbreck, take care not to block any access to the surrounding fields
Finish: Cromdale Park
Distance: 14.0 km
Strava Route
A route that is probably best with a pick up and drop off to complete as marked, if not possible an out and back to whichever of the summits takes your fancy would be a good option. Avoid running along the A95 at all costs.
Starting from the A939 layby runners can ascend Sgor Gaoithe on good track before heading onwards, Carn na Cloiche, Carn Tuairneir and finally the high point of the route, the large cairn at the summit of Creagan a' Chaise. At 722m you are afforded fantastic views into the Cairngorms to the south, while looking north you may be able to catch a glimpse of the coast! Once you're finished at the cairn you can continue onwards over fait paths an unmarked ground to join the hill track coming up from Cromdale which heads towards the village, skirting some forestry before joining the paved road again. You will pass the local gin distillery! When you reach the A95, turn right and head through Cromdale to Cromdale Park and the end of your run.
Ben Mac and Fries
Start/Finish: Cairngorm Mountain Car Park (parking charge)
Distance: 17.5 km
Strava Route
Walkhighlands Description
An 11 mile loop taking in the Scotland's second and fourth highest peaks.
As with all mountain routes some walking may be required! walkhighlands.co.uk suggests 6 hours walking but runners can do this in 3-4 hours. There's a choice of clockwise (up the windy ridge) or the reverse. It's best done on a sunny calm day in the months of July and August.
(clockwise) Access the windy ridge via the resort garden and follow the good path up to the Ptarmigan. From here you can take the stairway to the Cairngorm summit (4k) or try the shallower path on the left that comes out by the weather station. Carrying on towards the corries there is a steep downhill and then a very rocky path accross the corries (consider walking both of these). This can get quite close to the cliff edges. After 3k approx the path becomes less rocky and levels off a bit, then turns left towards Ben Macdhui, and joins return path to the car park. Ben Macdhui is 2k further on, via a dog-leg over a boulder field (level but more walking) before the final ascent and the path is a little indistict in places. Return home back over the boulder field and take a left when the path forks, follow it down back to the car park. It's a good mountain path but with many protruding rocks.
CR Runner Jez created a video of this route which you can see by clicking here.
Disclaimer
Running can be dangerous and all runners must take personal responsibility for their own safety. You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Cairngorm Runners strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.
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