How to Climb Sgòr Gaoith

Sgòr Gaoith is one of the Cairngorms' quieter treasures — a plateau Munro on the western edge of the range whose summit delivers one of the most sudden and spectacular views in Scotland: a dizzying drop to Loch Einich cradled far below, with Braeriach's great corries rising beyond. Away from the busy honeypots around the ski centre, it's a superb and less-trodden day. Here's how to climb it.

The mountain

Sgòr Gaoith (1,118m) — the "peak of the wind" — sits on the western rim of the Cairngorm plateau above Glen Feshie. Its western slopes rise gently, giving little hint of what's coming; then the ground falls away abruptly at the summit in a huge cliff down to Loch Einich, a contrast that gives the peak its drama. It's often climbed with its neighbour Mullach Clach a' Bhlàir for a bigger round.

The route

The usual ascent starts from Glen Feshie, climbing through pinewoods and out onto the broad plateau before the final rise to the summit edge. It's a long but generally straightforward walk on good ground — no scrambling — with the effort in the distance and ascent rather than any difficulty underfoot. Expect a full hill day. The plateau approach means the summit view arrives suddenly and all at once, which is part of the appeal.

Navigation and conditions

Like all the Cairngorm plateau, Sgòr Gaoith demands respect for navigation. The broad, featureless ground is easy in clear weather and disorienting in cloud, and the abrupt cliff edge at the summit is a genuine hazard in poor visibility — do not wander towards the drop in mist. Carry map, compass and GPS and know how to use them. Choose a clear day: the whole point of Sgòr Gaoith is that astonishing view, and in cloud you lose it entirely. In winter it becomes a serious plateau outing needing full winter skills. It's part of our wider Cairngorms bagging guide.

Related guides

• Munro bagging in the Cairngorms
• The best Munros near Aviemore
• How to climb Braeriach and Cairn Toul
• Munros tracking app — offline maps for the Cairngorm plateau