Bynack More from Glenmore

Bynack More from Glenmore is a 22.5 km (14-mile) out-and-back from Allt Mòr car park, with about 756 m of ascent and a typical 6.5 to 7.5 hours for the full return. The route leaves the Scots pine forest on a clear path, follows tracks through Ryvoan Pass, then crosses open upland before climbing the mountain’s north ridge to its 1,090 m summit. It is a long but relatively straightforward mountain walk in good conditions; the distance and remote upper ground make it a full day, with the summit panorama as the payoff.

From the far end of the car park, the clear path begins between two boulders by an information board and purple waymarker. The first stretch crosses the Allt Mòr by footbridge, follows a forest path past another bridge and reaches a ford; a footbridge lies a short way upstream. At the junction with the Glenmore Lodge track, turn right and follow the glen floor toward Ryvoan Pass. The route skirts Lochan Uaine, whose turquoise water sits below Scots pines. Steps descend from the track to the shore for a short optional visit; return to the same track before continuing.

Beyond the loch, choose the right-hand branch signed for Braemar. The left fork follows the old Ryvoan Pass route toward Nethy Bridge, a different line. The Bynack route rises across the moor, passes Loch a’ Gharbh-choire and crosses the Allt a’ Gharbh-choire before reaching the grassy site of Bynack Stable. The corrugated shelter once stood here; after being reprieved from demolition, it was blown down in 2005, leaving only its grassy site.

Cross the River Nethy and keep on the Lairig an Laoigh path as it climbs to the broad plateau north of Bynack More. This old cross-country route links Aviemore and Braemar. Before the Lairig’s high point, turn right onto the path for Bynack More. The climb steepens along the north ridge, winding around the rocky crest to the summit. From 1,090 m, the Cairngorms fall away toward a broad view over Moray. From that side, no higher ground interrupts the skyline, so Bynack More can seem to be the highest Cairngorm. The large Barns of Bynack are not visible from the top: the nearby rocky forms are the Little Barns. The Barns are among the Cairngorms’ largest granite tors. Reaching them requires continuing south and descending, so they are an extension beyond this mapped out-and-back.

Allow most of a day. The long approach has easier forest tracks, then rougher and often boggy open ground; the final ridge is steeper and rockier. Keep the Braemar turn and the later right turn for the summit clear in your navigation, and carry a map and compass for the open hill. The standard start is Allt Mòr car park on the road toward the Cairngorm ski area, about 1 km beyond the Glenmore Lodge turn-off. Dogs are allowed under responsible Scottish access rules; keep them in sight and under control, and use a lead when needed around livestock or wildlife.