“The Devil's Point”
The Devil's Point is a 1,004m Munro in the Cairngorms region, its Gaelic name meaning “the devil's point”. It stands 135th of the 282 Munros by height. The usual ascent — The Devil's Point from Linn of Dee — is a 21km round trip taking 7.3–9.5 hours, rated hard (4/5).
There are 2 routes to the summit of The Devil's Point, ranging from 21km.
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Unlock with Munros+The ascent of The Devil's Point from Linn of Dee is a serious Cairngorm expedition. The standard route covers 21km over…
The ascent of The Devil's Point from Linn of Dee is a serious Cairngorm expedition. The standard route covers 21km over 7.3 to 9.5 hours, rated 4/5 for difficulty with 3/5 bog levels. You'll begin with a long walk-in through the Lairig Ghru, one of Scotland's great mountain passes, where boggy sections can slow progress considerably. The approach is scenic but demanding, requiring sustained effort before you even begin the main ascent.
The climb to The Devil's Point at 1004m involves rough, rocky terrain with steep sections as you leave the glen floor and ascend the mountain's flanks. The Devil's Point is commonly climbed as part of a wider circuit, potentially including other Munros of the Cairngorms plateau, which can extend this to a 29.2km epic rated 5/5 difficulty. The terrain is characteristic Cairngorm: rough, boulder-strewn, and exposed.
You'll need good fitness and stamina for the long distances involved. The remoteness of The Devil's Point means you're committed once you're deep in the Lairig Ghru.
Plan your ascent of The Devil's Point for late spring through early autumn when you have maximum daylight for this 7.3…
Plan your ascent of The Devil's Point for late spring through early autumn when you have maximum daylight for this 7.3 to 9.5 hour expedition. The Cairngorms have a relatively dry, continental climate compared to western Scotland, but The Devil's Point still sees its share of challenging weather. Summer months offer the longest days and most stable conditions, essential for safely completing this long route.
The 3/5 bog level on the approach means spring and after heavy rain can make the walk-in particularly challenging. June through August provides the best conditions, though midges can be troublesome in sheltered glens during calm, warm weather. The Devil's Point at 1004m can hold snow well into May, and by October winter conditions may be returning.
Winter climbing here is extremely serious, requiring full winter mountaineering skills, ice axe, crampons, and ideally, winter experience in the Cairngorms. The long approach through the Lairig Ghru means starting at first light is essential, particularly in spring and autumn when daylight hours are limited. Weather can change rapidly in the Cairngorms, so check forecasts carefully.
Your journey to The Devil's Point begins at Linn of Dee Car Park in the eastern Cairngorms. From Braemar, head west on…
Your journey to The Devil's Point begins at Linn of Dee Car Park in the eastern Cairngorms. From Braemar, head west on the minor road that follows the River Dee through beautiful native pinewood. Linn of Dee is approximately 6 miles west of Braemar, at the end of the public road. The road is single-track in places but well-maintained, with passing places.
The car park at Linn of Dee is a popular starting point for numerous Cairngorm routes and can be busy on fine weekends, so arrive early to secure a space. From Aberdeen, you'll drive through Royal Deeside, a journey of about 60 miles via the A93 through Ballater and Braemar. The car park has toilet facilities but no other services, so come fully prepared. From Linn of Dee, you'll walk west along estate tracks into the hills, beginning the long approach to The Devil's Point.
The location is relatively remote, with Braemar being the nearest settlement for supplies and accommodation. Mobile signal is limited once you leave the car park.
The summit of The Devil's Point at 1004m perches dramatically at the southern end of the Cairngorms plateau. You'll find…
The summit of The Devil's Point at 1004m perches dramatically at the southern end of the Cairngorms plateau. You'll find a cairn marking the highest point on an exposed, rocky summit with dramatic views into the Lairig Ghru far below. The Devil's Point offers little shelter, you're on an exposed position that catches the wind sweeping across the plateau. The terrain underfoot is classic Cairngorm: granite boulders, short alpine grasses, and patches of moss and lichen.
In clear conditions, the views are magnificent: the great trench of the Lairig Ghru cuts through the mountains below you, while the high Cairngorm peaks including Ben Macdui, Cairn Toul, and Braeriach spread across the northern horizon. Looking south, the mountains roll away toward the Trossachs and Southern Highlands. The sense of space from The Devil's Point is immense, you're in the heart of Britain's largest area of high ground.
Snow can linger on north-facing slopes well into summer, adding to the alpine atmosphere. The summit is a place of raw Highland grandeur.
The route to The Devil's Point passes through some of Scotland's finest mountain habitats. The approach through Glen Dee…
The route to The Devil's Point passes through some of Scotland's finest mountain habitats. The approach through Glen Dee features remnant Caledonian pine forest, an increasingly rare habitat supporting red squirrels, pine martens, and crested tits, though these woodland species are more likely near Linn of Dee than higher up.
As you enter the Lairig Ghru and approach The Devil's Point, you'll pass through heather moorland with boggy sections supporting sphagnum mosses and bog cotton, reflected in the 3/5 bog level. Red deer are common throughout and you're likely to encounter them. Higher slopes transition to montane heath and then alpine tundra as you approach 1004m. Ptarmigan inhabit these high Cairngorm peaks, well-camouflaged against the rocky terrain.
Mountain hares, their coats white in winter, are also found here. Golden eagles hunt across the Cairngorms and you may spot one soaring above the peaks. Dotterel, a rare mountain bird, occasionally breeds on the high plateaus. The Devil's Point area supports alpine plants including dwarf willow, moss campion, and various saxifrages. The eastern Cairngorms are drier than western mountains, creating unique plant communities.
The Devil's Point is a serious undertaking rated 4/5 difficulty. The 21km route taking 7.3 to 9.5 hours requires…
The Devil's Point is a serious undertaking rated 4/5 difficulty. The 21km route taking 7.3 to 9.5 hours requires excellent fitness, stamina, and mountain experience. Start at first light with head torch backup, particularly in spring and autumn. Navigation skills are essential, carry map, compass, and GPS, and be confident using them in poor visibility. The 3/5 bog level means waterproof boots and gaiters are recommended for the approach.
Carry plenty of water and high-energy food for the long day, though you can refill from mountain streams in the Lairig Ghru if you have purification tablets. Full waterproofs and warm layers are essential as weather at 1004m can deteriorate rapidly. Wind chill on the exposed summit of The Devil's Point can be severe. Mobile signal is non-existent through most of the route, you're entirely self-reliant.
The remoteness means you must be prepared to deal with emergencies without external help. In winter, this becomes a full mountaineering route requiring crampons, ice axe, and winter skills. Always let someone know your route and expected return time before setting out on The Devil's Point.
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Common questions about climbing The Devil's Point.
The Devil's Point stands at 1,004 metres (3,294 feet), making it the 135th tallest of all 282 Munros in Scotland.
The name The Devil's Point translates from Scottish Gaelic as “The Devil's Point”.
Climbing The Devil's Point typically takes between 7.3 and 15.2 hours round trip. This varies with fitness, weather, and the route chosen — there are 2 routes to the summit.
There is dedicated parking at the standard starting point for the main route up The Devil's Point, in the Cairngorms area. The exact car park location, map pin and arrival guidance are in the free Munros app.
It depends on the route: the easiest way up The Devil's Point is rated Hard (difficulty 4/5), while Cairn Toul and Braeriach from Linn of Dee is Very Hard (5/5) — sustained scrambling with serious exposure, mountaineering rather than hillwalking.
The most popular route up The Devil's Point covers 21km, 7.3–9.5 hours round trip. There are 2 routes to the summit in total, ranging from Hard to Very Hard difficulty.
No — The Devil's Point (difficulty 4/5 at 1,004m via its easiest route) is best suited to experienced hillwalkers in the Cairngorms area. Expect sustained steep terrain and the need for confident navigation in poor visibility.
The Devil's Point is in the Cairngorms region of Scotland. Nearby Munros include A' Bhuidheanach Bheag, A' Chailleach (Monadhliath), A' Mharconaich.
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