From Linn of Dee the route heads north-west along the flat Glen Lui, past Derry Lodge and on through Glen Luibeg, before climbing over the shoulder of Carn a' Mhaim to reach the southern end of the Lairig.

A good path leads most of the way through the pass, except for a short section at the high point around Pools of Dee, where some boulder-hopping is required. Towering above the pass on the east is Ben Macdui 1,309m, Scotland's second highest peak, while on the west are Braeriach 1,296m, Cairn Toul 1,291m and Angel's Peak 1,258m, Scotland's third, fourth and fifth highest peaks respectively.

As you pass Braeriach on your left and Lurcher's Crag on your right, the steep-sided pass gives way to open heather and grass moorland before dropping down to the pine forest of Rothiemurchus. Very good paths in the Rothiemurchus Estate make easy walking to the campsite at Coylumbridge.

Please note: you will need Walk ID 2065 for Part 2 of this walk. The walk distance shown is for the entire walk i.e. 2064 and 2065 combined.

Scotland - Highland - Cairngorms

View a road map to the starting point of this walk.