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The Cairnwell

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
933 m (3061 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NO13517737
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
245 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Peak of bags
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  43   Braemar & Blair Atholl
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
The Cairnwell is one of the easiest ascents for the beginner but also one of the least attractive, with its decoration of Chair lifts and Radio masts.

The shape approximates to a triangular pyramid with the main ridge leading NW, and is the normal ascent route.

The NE slopes are moderate but littered with skiing equipment. The slopes to the SW and SE are steeper and rocky.

Hazards you may encounter on The Cairnwell include
 Crags within 1km of summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for The Cairnwell

The Cairnwell viewed from the bottom of the Spital of Glenshee.

© Graham Young
Image by Graham Young

One of several mountain hares I came across on the way up The Cairnwell's east face.

© Michael Hill
Image by Michael Hill

The Cairnwell from Glas Maol 24th November 2012

© Alistair Craig
Image by Alistair Craig

The Cairnwell from Sron na Goaithe showing the ski lifts and piste fencing.

© Graham Young
Image by Graham Young
View All 23 Images for The Cairnwell

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Southeastern Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		East Highlands
by Met Office 		Cairn Bannoch
by Metcheck
The Cairnwell Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include The Cairnwell.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include The Cairnwell
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 660 m 11.06 km 3.5 hrs Carn a' Gheoidh, The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda  Easy route, on terrain partially scarred by skiing equipment.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of The Cairnwell

  Baggers Gallery for The Cairnwell

Top of Cairnwell

© David Girling
Image by David Girling

Cairnwell summit. Not the prettiest!

© Tony Dick
Image by Tony Dick

Jorja on the Cairnwell. 1/1/16. Frosty.

© Scott Blair
Image by Scott Blair

Me and Val at the summit 5.01.13 No view due to thick fog :-(

© Claire Cassidy

Image by Claire Cassidy
View All 28 Baggers Images for The Cairnwell
The logging section stores any entries for The Cairnwell in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
You need to be a member to have a route log.
Recently Climbed By
Richard Humble on 12 Nov 2023
Paul Buchanan on 23 Sep 2023
Richard Humble on 07 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Carn Aosda, The Cairnwell and Carn a' Gheoidh
by Jan Konstmann
Carn a' Gheoidh, The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
by Alasdair Cairns
The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
by Mark Rudzinski
The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda
by William McGilvray
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by Geert Gritter
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by Douglas Mason
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by William McGilvray
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by Robert Simpson
The Cairnwell, Carn a' Gheoidh and Carn Aosda
by Kenny Mcneill
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by Brendan Waters
Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell
by Phillip Ferguson
The Cairnwell, Carn a' Gheoidh and Carn Aosda
by David McSporran
The Cairnwell
by Neil Cuthbert

Post a few words about The Cairnwell or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 8 comments. Would you like to view all 8?
Leon Mooney
wrote on
August 9, 2011
Climbed on 9/8/11 - really odd hill this one, which is as cluttered as it is made out to be. Thirty minutes from the car - something just not right about that. The views make up for it (a bit).
Ian Mccullough
wrote on
November 28, 2010
Climbed The Cairnwell at probably best time - just after fresh snow in November. Most of ski clutter was under snow and ski runs were still ungroomed. Climbed this one last of Cairnwell 3, and best of all was the 5 minute descent on bums down a ski run! The only skiers (or anyone else) we met were 2 cross-country skiers near top of Carn a' Gheoidh.
Gareth Pratt
wrote on
May 21, 2009
Utterly depressing place. Nothing more to say. Quite frankly it looks as if Sauron wanted to see how much damage he could inflict in one place before going on to occupy Mount Doom.
Donny McKie
wrote on
December 3, 2006
This hill is a baggers dream and the easiest tick you'll ever get. Nevertheless, it should consider itself very lucky that it just happens to be within the height range of the munro. There is nothing to commend the ascent of this hill. The summit is a mess and the overwhelming feeling is to leave the summit as quickly as possible.
Robert Lyall
wrote on
January 22, 2006
Steep ascent from the car park following the Cairnwell chairlift. The summit itself is a disappointment, with electrical cables, debris, barbed wire and 'telecoms' debris strewn across the ground. One to climb when the mist is down! PS a thin covering of snow did not hide the debris!!
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 22 Feb 2010 Around Glen Shee George Greszczuk Creag Leacach, Glas Maol, Cairn of Claise, Carn an Tuirc, Carn Aosda, Carn a' Gheoidh and The Cairnwell Not Yet Rated
 
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