Beinn a’ Chaorainn via Glen Avon – An unusual but rewarding approach

Beinn a’ Chaorainn is usually bagged from Deeside together with its neighbour Munro Beinn Bhreac. On the route described here, you approach Beinn a’ Chaorainn from the pathless Northern side via Glen Avon and also take in the very remote and little-visited Corbett Creag Mhòr. This route can be done in one day or split into an enjoyable 2-day trip with an overnight sleep in the wee Fords of Avon Refuge bothy or with a wild camp at the lovely beach of Loch Avon.

You start your walk in the car park at the Cairngorm Ski Centre . Leave the car park towards the hillside to the left by climbing up a set of stone stairs. Turn right on the path and follow it, passing by the day lodge to your right. After passing a ski lift mast, you arrive at a fork . Take the path signed “Windy Ridge Path” to your left, climbing uphill.

The Windy Ridge Path is steep at first but becomes gentler further up. Continue on this path parallel to the ski slopes, and eventually, you will arrive at Ptarmigan Station . Head around the building, and take the left path at the fork; the one to the right, climbing uphill more steeply, leads to the summit of Cairngorm.

Continue on this lower path until you come across a ski lift mast . You can either follow the path now to the left or take a pathless shortcut into Ciste Mhearad by contouring around Cairngorm and descending on its Eastern side – where you will encounter the steepest section of the walk , which doesn’t give any difficulties, however. Eventually, you reach the footpath again, coming down from Ciste Mhearad .

Follow this path now, descending the Eastern slopes of Cairngorm and soon, you will catch the first view of Loch Avon. Further down, the path forks, one leading uphill to the left to the Munro top A’ Chòinneach – a child peak of Bynack More; one leading straight ahead towards the outflow of Loch Avon, and a third one to the right leading further into Loch Avon basin. Take the path leading straight ahead .

There are some awkward sections on this path, as some rocks need to be circumnavigated, but they don’t pose any real difficulty. Further down, the going becomes easier again, and soon, you arrive at a lovely beach near the outflow of Loch Avon .

Follow the very young River Avon now on a mostly good and straightforward path down the glen. You will most likely not meet anyone on the walk through this remote glen, as it’s not a standard approach route for any of the hills nearby.

After a while, the glen opens up, and you arrive at a wee bothy – the Fords of Avon Refuge , which the Mountain Bothies Association maintains. Up to 4 people can sleep in there comfortably.

Turn right, passing the bothy, and walk down to the river. A crossing is now necessary , which is not too tricky at low water levels. You can either wade through or hop from rock to rock.

Continue on the path on the other side, and cross a burn , which is a lot easier than river crossing before. Shortly after, leave the path, and head up the pathless slopes. Once you’ve reached the shoulder of the hill, it’s only a short walk to the summit of Beinn a’ Chaorainn .

The views are extensive: to the South stretches the Lairig an Laoigh connecting Glen Avon to Glen Derry and Glen Lui on Deeside; to the West is Beinn Mheadhoin – a Munro – clearly identifiable by its granite tors on the top which look like a crown. Further in the distance to the East are Beinn a’ Bhuird and Ben Avon – two of the remotest Munros in Scotland.

Head down the same way you’ve come up, and retrace your steps to Fords of Avon Refuge . Follow the path leading North for a short distance, then leave it and head uphill to the right instead. This climb is a lot gentler than the one before to the top of Beinn a’ Chaorainn. Soon, you arrive at the summit of Creag Mhòr – a very low peak compared to the other ones all around.

After enjoying the view, head back down towards Fords of Avon Refuge. You have several options now:

• If you have the energy or if you didn’t bring camping gear: Retrace your steps through the glen and up Ciste Mhearad, back to the car park
• Spend the night in Fords of Avon Refuge
• Wild camp at the lovely beach of Loch Avon or in any other spot that you like

Whatever you do: Enjoy! 🙂