Cairngorms In Winter: The Ultimate Guide
Arguably Scotland’s most rugged and spectacular landscape, the Cairngorms has captured the imagination of generations of travellers and adventurers and attracted visitors from across the country, the wider UK and the world. While popular in the summer, the region is a thrilling winter destination, and its snow-covered Munros are beloved by hikers, winter sports enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and a whole host of visitors who travel solely to enjoy the area’s remarkable natural beauty.
However, enjoying the Cairngorms in the winter poses unique challenges and requires considered preparations. If you want to head out walking, you must ensure you are comfortable in difficult conditions and equipped with the appropriate clothing, equipment and mountain skills. While the Cairngorms in the snow demand respect, they guarantee some of the most thrilling and memorable mountain excursions anywhere in the UK.
Overview of the Cairngorms
The largest national park in the UK, the Cairngorms National Park encompasses 4,528 km² and is situated in Scotland’s Eastern Highlands. It includes five of the UK’s highest mountains and is home to ancient woodland, rolling hills, striking valleys and perfectly still lochs. In many respects, the Cairngorms is a unique and distinctive environment – a subarctic, high-altitude landscape that supports a beautifully diverse ecosystem you will not find anywhere else in Britain.
The cities of Aberdeen and Inverness lay to the east and northwest respectively, while Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh are significantly further south. Located within easy reach of the Cairngorms’ highest peaks, visitors regularly use the villages of Aviemore or Braemar as a base from which to launch excursions and explore the surrounding area.
The Munros
Munros – the Scottish term for mountains over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) in height – are prevalent throughout the Cairngorms National Park. There are a total of 282 Munros spread across Scotland, and the Cairngorms are home to 55 of them. This includes the second tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Macdui (1,309 metres), and a wealth of other famous peaks, such as Braeriach, Cairn Gorm, and Lochnagar.
The Munros make for excellent walking and some of the region’s best hikes take visitors to these iconic peaks. However, climbing a Munro in the winter is not for the inexperienced. Conditions can be incredibly tricky and often dangerous. Hikers need to be able to traverse deep snow, read the mountain and understand how to stay safe. High winds, limited visibility and sub-zero temperatures quickly sap the energy and can prove deadly if ill-equipped.
That said, the sense of achievement you feel upon reaching a Munro summit – as well as the pure isolation, picture-perfect landscapes and sense of adventure – make these winter climbs some of the most memorable you will ever experience.
Challenging Winter Weather Conditions
One of the things that makes the Cairngorms such a uniquely challenging UK destination is the severity of the winter weather. The region experiences harsh conditions, typified by low temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds. The high altitude landscape is remarkably exposed and wind speeds can exceed 100 mph on the higher summits. Blizzards are also a regular occurrence in the colder months, resulting in reduced visibility, and conditions are highly changeable.
Of course, the weather also significantly impacts the landscape. Avalanches and cornices are considerable concerns, and whiteouts can make navigation incredibly difficult. As such, always check trusted weather reports before heading into the mountains in the winter. Even with a good weather window, we would be wary of heading into the mountains unless you understand the risks and know how to mitigate them.
When it comes to weather services, we think the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS), Met Office Mountain Forecasts and Windy are all great resources. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) is also invaluable.
Wildlife in the Cairngorms
Despite (or sometimes because of) the harsh winter conditions, the Cairngorms are populated by a bewildering array of wildlife – both flora and fauna – you do not find anywhere else in the UK. The low population density and wildness of the terrain certainly helps, too. In the winter, you are in for a particular treat, as the snowy whiteness helps creatures stand out more easily.
Reindeer
Could an animal be more closely associated with the joys of winter than the reindeer? The Cairngorms are home to a herd of free-roaming reindeer managed by the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre. Containing approximately 150 reindeer, the herd moves across the mountainsides with so much freedom that the centre cannot always locate them. Introduced in the 1950s, they are now a much-loved feature of the Cairngorms landscape.
Birds
The Cairngorms are also a birder’s paradise, with several species uniquely adapted to the cold winter conditions. In terms of smaller birds, the snow bunting and ptarmigan are both fascinating species that attract considerable attention. However, they are both difficult to spot, as they boast snowy white plumages. The latter is found exclusively in the Scottish Highlands.
Birds of prey are also a big attraction, as the Cairngorms support a relatively healthy population. The golden eagle is arguably the species most people want to see, as its wingspan can exceed two metres, and the sight of it soaring, riding thermals and following mountain ridgelines is unforgettable. However, they tend to occupy the park’s less accessible zones, so you may have to travel deep into the mountains to spot one. For an insight into the incredible power of these birds, check out this Bill Oddie clip about golden eagles in the Highlands.
Red squirrels, mountain hares, and Scottish wildcats
But it’s not all birds in the Cairngorms. This mountainous region is one of only a few areas in the UK with a strong red squirrel population. Outcompeted by grey squirrels and susceptible to the squirrel pox virus carried by the largely immune greys, red squirrels are in decline. With bare trees and a white, snow-swept landscape, winter is an amazing time to spot these beautiful and increasingly rare creatures.
Mountain hares are also pretty special. Native to the Cairngorms, their brown summer coat turns pure white for the winter, making them hard but rewarding to pick out. Your best chance of catching a glimpse is up on the higher slopes. Though the Scottish wildcat is extremely elusive and on the brink of extinction, a small number still call the Cairngorms home. Technically rarer than the Bengal tiger, the main threat to the native population is hybridisation with domestic cats. The Saving Wildcats recovery project aims to reverse the species’ decline by breeding cats for release while working to reduce the threats they face.
Red deer
Red deer are the largest mammals in the UK and are prevalent throughout the national park. While they roam high up the mountains in the summer, they tend to come down in the winter in search of food and shelter. It is not uncommon to see them grazing in open land, and getting a photo of a big herd backed by the white-tipped mountains should be on any passionate photographer’s to-do list.
Highland Wildlife Park
While there is plenty to see out in the wild, we also wanted to shout out the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie, on the western edge of the Cairngorms. It gives visitors the opportunity to see several native species that are either no longer present in the natural environment or whose existence is threatened, such as Scottish wildcats and wolves, as well as a host of other cold-weather species, like arctic foxes. The Highland Wildlife Park also conducts valuable conservation work, helping protect local and global species from extinction through cutting-edge genetic research and breeding.
Hiking in the Cairngorms
The Cairngorms’ landscape, weather and wildlife all contribute to a thrilling winter hiking experience. For those who love mountain walking, there are few better destinations in the UK. Whether you are making your way to the summit of Ben Macdui, taking on Creag Meagaidh or heading up through Lairig Ghru, there are fantastic hiking adventures everywhere. But you need the skills, confidence and expertise to enjoy them safely.
Staying safe in winter conditions
To stay safe in the mountains during the winter, you need to have a good understanding of the following areas:
- • Winter weather and avalanche forecasts
- • Route planning in winter conditions
- • Navigating in winter conditions
- • Specialist equipment and how to use it correctly
- • Importance of appropriate clothing
- • Moving safely across and through snow-covered terrain
- • Risk mitigation
- • Emergency procedures
We explored some of these skills in previous blog posts, most recently in Mountain Skills for Winter Walks and Route Finding in the Snow. We recommend starting with those two posts if you want to read more about essential winter mountain skills. However, by far and away the best way to learn and practise these skills is on a RAW Winter Mountain Skills course.
Developing your winter skills
We offer three distinct winter mountain skills courses, all of which take place in the Cairngorms. These courses are:
- • Intro to Winter Mountain Skills
- • Winter Munro Mountain Skills
- • Intro to Winter Mountaineering
Each covers slightly different aspects of the winter mountain experience and we suggest exploring the information on the site to determine which course is best suited to you. That said, all three courses are designed to provide you with the skills and confidence required to explore any winter UK mountain landscape independently. At RAW, we want to empower people to explore the mountains. But we also believe that safety has to be a priority. Our courses act as a great introduction to winter walking in the mountains and are a great way to make sure you are ready for safe, considered and enjoyable trips in the Cairngorms.
Accommodation in the Cairngorms
The Cairngorms offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. Aviemore is probably the most popular base for winter visitors, and there is a good selection of hotels, lodges and hostels to choose from. You will also be able to find cottages and lodges scattered across the region if you want something a little more remote.
Bothies are an integral feature of the Scottish mountains and can be great places to stay if you are breaking up a long walk without returning to more traditional accommodation. However, walkers should be aware that ‘bothy’ is a broad term and encompasses a large range of shelters, from the spacious and fire-warmed to the barely weatherproof. You can usually get a fairly good idea of what to expect from the internet. Remember to respect the bothy code (take your litter out with you, no large groups etc.) and your fellow walkers wherever you stay.
Transport in the Cairngorms
Aviemore benefits from rail connections to Inverness and Edinburgh, making it a convenient gateway to the Cairngorms. Once in Aviemore, the local bus services provide access to popular hiking and skiing areas, though services may run on a reduced timetable during winter months.
Driving is probably the simplest solution if you require access to parts of the Cairngorms that are not well-connected by public transport. However, driving conditions are difficult in the winter and you should ensure your vehicle is equipped with snow chains before setting off. Always check the forecast and driving conditions and be cautious, especially if you are unaccustomed to driving on winter roads.
Winter Mountain Skills courses with RAW Adventures
Our experienced team of accredited Winter Mountain Leaders really loves helping people progress their skills and develop their capabilities – it opens up a whole new world of possibilities and experiences. And there is no better place to do that than in the Cairngorms.
Whether you are interested in exploring the snowbound Cairngorms with the help of a trained and knowledgeable Mountain Leader or want to ensure you have the skills necessary to do so on your own in the future, we recommend signing up for our upcoming Winter Mountain Skills courses as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. See you in Cairngorms soon!
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