The Cairnwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Cairnwell |
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| Scottish Gaelic: An Càrn Bhailg | |
_(Cairngorm_Mountains,_Aberdeenshire,_Scotland).JPG)
The north-eastern side of The Cairnwell as seen from near Sron na Gaoithe.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 933 m (3,061 ft) |
| Prominence | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Listing | Munro |
| Naming | |
| Language of name | Scottish Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Aberdeenshire / Perth & Kinross, Scotland |
| Parent range | Cairngorms |
| OS grid | NO134773 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 43, OS Explorer 387 |
The Cairnwell (which in Scottish Gaelic is An Càrn Bhailg) is a mountain in the eastern part of the Highlands in Scotland. It stands south of a town called Braemar. This mountain is quite famous, especially because of the Glenshee Ski Centre located on its eastern side.
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Exploring The Cairnwell
The Cairnwell is a mountain that reaches 933 meters (about 3,061 feet) high. This makes it one of the mountains in Scotland known as a Munro. A Munro is a Scottish mountain that is over 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) tall. There are 282 Munros in Scotland, and climbing them is a popular hobby.
Why The Cairnwell is Unique
Many people consider The Cairnwell to be one of the easiest Munros to climb. This is because the Glenshee Ski Centre is built high up on its slopes. The ski centre car park is already at about 650 meters (2,133 feet) above sea level. This means you start your climb much higher than usual, making the hike to the top shorter and less challenging.
The Glenshee Ski Centre
The Glenshee Ski Centre is one of Scotland's largest ski resorts. It has many ski lifts and slopes that cover parts of The Cairnwell. While the ski centre makes the mountain easy to access, some people feel it changes the natural look of the mountain. They might say it looks "spoiled" because of all the buildings and equipment.
Hiking The Cairnwell
Most people who climb The Cairnwell start their journey from the Glenshee Ski Centre. The path is usually clear, and it's a popular spot for hikers. It's common for climbers to combine their trip to The Cairnwell with a hike up a nearby mountain called Carn Aosda. This allows them to bag two Munros in one day!
What to See on Your Hike
Even with the ski centre, The Cairnwell offers amazing views of the surrounding Cairngorms mountain range. On a clear day, you can see far across the Scottish landscape. The area is also home to various types of wildlife and plants that are adapted to the mountain environment.
Location and Geography
The Cairnwell is located right on the border between two Scottish areas: Aberdeenshire and Perth & Kinross. It's part of the larger Cairngorms mountain range, which is a huge area of mountains, forests, and lochs (lakes) in Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the United Kingdom.
The Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is a special place known for its wild beauty. It's a great spot for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and wildlife watching. The park helps protect the unique plants and animals that live in the Scottish Highlands.
