Having completed a 20km run circuit from Loch Morlich via the Chalamain Gap, my friends and I decided to head out for our second route of the day. This time, the 19.5km route was to the summit of Cairn Gorm mountain.
Most people will start a walk or run to the top of Cairn Gorm mountain from the base station car park. See this route. However, we wanted a longer run and more height gain.
So, we headed south again from Loch Morlich car park and through Glenmore forest. A trail ascends to the base station car park at Cairngorm Mountain. The path runs close to the side of the road but avoids the need for being on tarmac.
Once at the base station, we headed up a trail called Windy Ridge. It’s called this for a reason! Windy Ridge took us to the mid-station cafe (the top of the funicular) from where we headed uphill again on another well-made path to reach the summit. The paths have a lot of stone steps which you may, or may not, like.
Route finding was easy, although the uphill was not so easy on tired legs.
Heading back down we decided to avoid the path and its stone steps and instead took wider trails towards the south-west of the ski centre. The last time I was on these trails they were covered in snow and I was on skis.
The tracks are quite steep in places and covered in loose grit but they made for a quick descent.
Once at the base station, we chose to run down along the side of the road for a while, before turning on to trails again to complete the final section back to Loch Morlich.
Details: Loch Morlich to Cairn Gorm summit
Distance: 19.5km
Height gain: 950m