From Coylumbridge, very good paths in the Rothiemurchus Estate make easy walking as you climb up through pine forest and moorland to reach the entrance of the Lairig Ghru. 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 enter the pass, Braeriach rises on your right and the cliffs of Lurcher's Crag tower on your left. 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.

At the southern end of the pass, the route passes through moorland and pinewoods as it swings east over the shoulder of Carn a' Mhaim and drops into Glen Luibeg, before passing Derry Lodge and on down Glen Lui to the large car park at Linn of Dee.

Please note You will also need Walk ID 2170 for Part 2 of this walk. The walk distance shown is for the entire route i.e. 2169 and 2170 combined.

Scotland - Highland - Cairngorms

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