Ben Macdui Mountain

Ben Macdui is a major mountain in the Cairngorms of northeastern Scotland and the second-highest summit in the United Kingdom at 1,309 metres. It forms the highest point of the Cairngorm plateau and is a prominent Munro.

The summit area is a broad, high plateau rather than a narrow peak, and approaches commonly involve long walks over upland terrain. Hikers and mountaineers use routes from the Coire Cas/Cairn Gorm side or from Glenmore and the Lairig Ghru, with weather and snow making conditions challenging outside summer.

Formed from ancient metamorphic rocks and shaped by glacial action, the Cairngorm plateau including Ben Macdui has long been a focus for Scottish hillwalking and scientific interest in arctic-alpine ecology. The mountain is included on Munro lists and is a frequent objective for experienced walkers.

Ben Macdui lies within Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands, in the historic region of Badenoch and Strathspey, north of Aviemore and accessible from several mountain car parks and walking trails.

• Elevation: Elevation is 1,309 metres, making it the second highest mountain in the United Kingdom and the highest summit in the Cairngorms massif.
• Routes: Common ascent routes start from the Coire Cas area near the Cairn Gorm ski centre and from Glenmore to the south, both requiring mountain equipment in winter conditions.

• Start very early in the day: weather on Ben Macdui and the Cairngorm plateau changes rapidly, so an early start improves your chance of sustained visibility and safer walking.
• Treat the summit plateau as a navigation challenge-whiteout and sudden wind can make even obvious routes indistinct; carry and know how to use a map and compass (or hire a local guide) rather than relying solely on GPS or cairns.
• Plan for a full-day outing and check recent conditions from the Cairngorms National Park or mountain rescue bulletins beforehand; even in summer sections can be boggy and route-finding slow, so allow extra time.