THE CAIRNWELL, GLENSHEE SKI CENTREStanding above the Glenshee ski centre, The Cairnwell is the 245th highest Munro. Not the biggest but at 3,061ft it is no pimple. The mass of metal paraphernalia used to take winter sports enthusiasts up the slopes can look incongruous at this time of the year, but it does give easy access to high mountain terrain.
A walk up and down only takes a couple of hours because the car park stands at 2,133ft, meaning it is little different than going up Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. However, for the those who want the mountain views with the absolute minimum of effort there is a chair lift which stays open throughout summer.
From the top of this it is only a short trudge along a stony path up to the top. Although there is a rather obtrusive telecommunications mast, the view is extensive. To the south lies the Spittal of Glenshee with Perthshire beyond, east is the bulk of Glas Maol and north are the high Grampians. To the west, across a wide corrie, is Carn a'Gheoidh. Go down the same way.
Anyone who can walk up a short incline can manage this but do remember you are high up and therefore warm clothing and stout footwear which gives ankle support on a rough path is more than a good idea. For those with a little more energy the walk is relatively short and if linked with the adjacent munro, Cairn Aosda, can fill in a whole morning. For information on the route
click here to find the Walk of the Week column covering it.
The chair lift costs £4.50 return for adults and £3.50 return for children.
It is open every day weather permitting, and it is best phone before you set off to make sure it is running - 013397 41320.
The full article contains 317 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
