Ben Macdui
Beinn MacDuibh
At 1,309 m, Britain’s second-highest peak, climbed on a classic full-day hike across the plateau from the Cairngorm Mountain car park.
Beinn MacDuibh stands at 1,309 m, second only to Ben Nevis, making it Britain’s second-highest mountain, located in the middle of the Cairngorm plateau. The most common route starts from the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre car park and either goes via Coire an t-Sneachda or climbs Cairn Gorm and crosses the open sub-arctic plateau. The round trip is about 17–18 km and takes 7 to 9 hours, with views of Loch Avon and its corries along the way. There is a viewpoint indicator on the summit, and on a clear day you can see Ben Nevis in the distance. The high plateau is open and easy to get lost on in mist, and the weather changes rapidly, so carry a map, compass or GPS, windproof and warm clothing, and check the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS). Local legend says a ghostly “Big Grey Man” haunts the mountain. There is no admission fee, but the car park charges.
Opening hours
Open all day (go during daylight)
Nearby sights
- CairnGorm Mountain Railway
- Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
- Loch Morlich
- An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch)
- Loch an Eilein
- Loch Garten & RSPB Abernethy
- Rothiemurchus Estate
- Strathspey Railway