Braeriach

Braeriach
Braeriach seen from Sgor Gaoith, across Glen Einich
Highest point
Elevation
Prominence
Parent peak	Ben Macdui
Listing	Marilyn, Munro
Naming
Translation	Brindled greyish upper part (Gaelic)
Pronunciation	Scottish Gaelic: [əm ˈpɾaːj ˈrˠiəvəx]
Geography
Location	Cairngorms, Scotland
OS grid	NN953999
Topo map	OS Landranger 36, 43

Braeriach (Scottish Gaelic: Bràigh Riabhach/Am Bràigh Riabhach) is the third highest mountain in the British Isles, 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 5 times in the last century: 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003 & 2006 and the patches that linger there are the longest lying snow patches in Scotland.

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 about 9 km from the car park by this route.