Braeriach

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Braeriach
Braeriach seen from Sgor Gaoith, across Glen Feshie
Elevation	1296 m (4252 ft)
Location	Cairngorms, Scotland
Prominence	461 m
Topo map	OS Landranger 36, 43
OS grid reference	NN953999
Listing	Marilyn, Munro
Translation	Brindled greyish upper part (Gaelic)
Pronunciation	[brei'riəx]

Braeriach is the third highest mountain in Scotland, surpassed only by Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui. It is the highest point in the western massif of the Cairngorms, separated from the central section (containing Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm) by the pass of the Lairig Ghru. The summit has a crescent shape, with several corries. In the north-facing corrie of Garbh Coire Mor the snow has completely melted just three times in the last century.

Probably the most commonly used route up Braeriach starts from Sugar Bowl car park, on the road leading the Cairn Gorm ski area. From here a path leads over the hillside to a steep sided rocky ravine known as the Chalamain Gap, before descending around 100 m to the Lairig Ghru. After crossing this pass the route heads for the summit via Braeriach's north ridge, crossing a subsidiary peak, Sròn na Lairige. The summit is around 9 km from the car park by this route.