

A Fantastic Ultra Run Based in the Heart of the Cairngorms National Park

2023 Date: Saturday 3rd June
Entries to Open October
Details below


Event Update: For 2022 we are implementing a new route. This is basically the planned alternative route with a few amendments. The distance will be 60k covering similar types of terrain & similar amount of ascent. There are several advantages to using this route as it tracks further into the heart of the spectacular Cairngorm Mountains & really showcasing what this amazing area has to offer.
This also enables us to locate a basic aid station earlier into the race on the return to the CP at Derry Lodge. It's great for any friends & family who are spectating. With the route returning through the Derry Lodge CP & the iconic Linn of Dee, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to provide a bit of encouragement.
Check out the route highlights & couse overview on the link below...

Start/Finish: Mar Lodge
Checkpoints:
-
Derry Lodge
-
Hutchison Refuge
-
Derry Lodge
-
Corrour Refuge
-
Linn of Dee
-
Glen Quoich
Aid Stations: Derry Lodge (23k) & Linn of Dee (45k)
Ascent: 1006m/3,300'
Descent: 1007m/3304'
Note: The total ascent is 1006m/3,300' & descent 1007m/3304' (recorded with Garmin Fenix 6 Pro)
A Unique Ultra Trail Race Based in the UK's Largest National Park
Surrounded by Spectacular Highland Scenery
A Circular Route of the Wide Open Spaces of the Ben Avon Plateau
Experience this Wild & Remote Area with Support from a Great Event Team
Check out our course videos highlighting this fantastic route...

Cairngorms Ultra Recce
The Cairngorms National Park, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, is the largest national park in the UK & an area of outstanding natural beauty. Surrounded by the remnants of ancient pine forests, rolling glens, wild rivers and rugged peaks, the Cairnngorms offer one of the wildest and most remote landscapes in the UK.
The event is to be based from the spectacular setting of Mar Lodge, three miles to the west of Braemar. Known as the eastern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar is one of Scotland's highest villages sitting at an altitude of 339 metres. With an excellent choice of terrain the area is superb for ultra running with many well maintained trails, tracks and paths leading you into the heart of the mountains.
The Cairngorms Ultra Trail takes you on a journey through this wild & majestic landscape
and into the heart of one of Britains real wilderness areas.....


Date: Saturday 11th June 2022 Distance: 62km Ascent: 1146m/3760' Start Time (TBC): 0800
Event Venue: Mar Lodge, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YJ.
The event start & finish will be located here.
Entry Fees: £60 (+ 6% online booking fee) Entries: As this a conservation area entries will be limited. Minimum entry age 18 years old.
Registration: This will be based from Mar Lodge. Numbers will be issued at registration.
Registration will be available both Friday (4-7pm approx) & Saturday. Times TBC
If the event is cancelled due to Covid regulations, participants will be offered either:
-A full refund minus the 6% online entry fee
-Automatic transfer to 2022
-Transfer your entry to another selected High Terrain event of similar value.


What's Included in Your Entry:
-
All event organisation
-
Safety team cover during the race including qualified & experienced personnel at various checkpoints
-
Qualified medical support
-
A stunning event venue
-
Online Registration
-
Unique Eco Wooden finishers medal, customised race number
-
Route gpx download
-
Two hydration & feed stations on the course
-
Drop Bag Shuttle
-
Drinks & Refreshments at finish
-
Free event parking, toilets.
-
UTMB Qualifier
For refunds, deferrals and cancellation policies please consult our T&Cs page
Participant Feedback


Thank you for an outstanding day in a beautiful place! You all make the best days happen, huge thanks to the awesome marshall team!
Jenni RJ
My first ever ultra and LOVED IT! Still buzzing
Eleanor El

What an awesome route and scenery. Brilliantly organised by High Terrain Events.
Thank you everyone🏴🏃♀️🐾
Julie Graham
What a venue and fantastic course. Thanks for putting it on
Gary Wolstencroft

Totally echo what Jeni Rees-Jenkins says. Lovely marshals and support around the route, an amazing setting to base it Thank you 😀
Frances Britain
Check out Ross Mackey's video from the 2021 event...
Terrain: Following the old drove roads and passes between some of the highest peaks in Britain, the wild heart of the National Park can be experienced without trekking over major summits. The highest point of the course will be at Lairig an Laoigh (‘The Pass of the Calves’), at 745m (2444 feet).
Although the route features 1146m (3760 feet) of ascent, there are no major climbs or descents.
Saving a few sections on minor roads at the start & finish, the route is fully off road. The majority of the route generally follows well defined paths and tracks, making it suitable for those more comfortable with non-technical terrain.
Participants should be prepared, though, to cross several burns, in particular the 'Fords of Avon' (see below for additional details). The approach section to/from here, then to Faindouran Bothy is on a rougher path that is boggy/rocky in places.



Course: Starting & finishing at Mar Lodge this is a circular route right in the heart of the Cairngorms. The route provides some stunning, remote, mountainous scenery...This will be a unique experience in a wild massif.....

Route Highlights:
-
Glen Lui to Derry Lodge
-
Glen Derry
-
Fords of Avon
-
Glen Avon
-
Loch Builg
-
Invercauld Forest
-
Linn of Quoich
-
Dee Valley
Checkpoints:
-
Derry Lodge
-
Fords of Avon Refuge
-
Track at Faindouran Bothy
-
Linn of Avon Path Junction
-
Loch Builg South East Corner
-
Invercauld Forest
Aid Stations: Loch Builg South East Corner (41k) & Invercauld Forest (53k)
Click on the map to view a detailed & interactive version illustrating the elevation profile & distance markers.
Time Limits: 12:30hrs for the full event (Based on 5km/hr (3.1mph) approx.). There will also be intermediate cut off times at various locations (Details below).
Total Ascent: 1146m/3760' (Recorded with Suunto Ambit Peak).

_edited.jpg)
Route Stats:
Nature of Terrain km %
Singletrack Trail: 20 33
Off Road ATV Tracks/
Forest Roads: 38.5 62
Minor Roads: 3.5 5


Kit Requirements
It is important that you are prepared & equipped for weather conditions for the time of year.
Entry Requirements: This will be an awesome challenge in one of the most wild & remote areas of the UK. You do not have to be super fast or an elite athlete to enter, although some ultra running experience will be required.
Navigation & Waymarking: Mar Lodge Estate is recognised as one of the most important nature conservation landscapes in the British Isles. Due to the environmentally sensitive area the majority of the route is not waymarked. Although the route follows well defined trails, some navigational skills will be required. Navigational devices (GPS units, watches, smartphone, etc.) are permitted & a route GPX file is available to download. If you are unfamiliar with the area it is recommended that you use such a device to assist with navigation. All that we ask is that you are competent with your navigational skills in the advent of the device failing, ie due to low battery.
In addition, safety marshals will be located at various key points on the course (see CP locations) to assist you with following the correct route.

Aid Stations: There will be two aid stations located at the following control point locations:
-
Loch Builg (41k)
-
Invercauld Forest (53k)
Please be aware that the first aid station is not until 41km.
Self Sufficiency:You must ensure that you are carrying sufficient food and water supplies to be partially self-sufficient on the course.
Drop Bags: If you'd like some of your favourite nutrition available on the course without having to carry it for the full duration, drop bags will be available for participants.
These will be transported to both aid stations on the course at CP 5 & CP 6.
_edited_edited.jpg)

Alternative Route: Please be aware that the river crossing at the Fords of Avon may be impassable due to high water levels. An alternative route will be put in place if water levels are too high for a safe crossing.

.png)
Crossing the Fords of Avon

Caledonian Pine


Glen Builg
Looking Across to Loch Builg
.jpg)

.jpg)
ATV Track through Glen Avon
Climbing Lairlg an Laoigh section
Singletrack through Glen Derry
.png)
Event Venue: We have a fantastic venue for the event, with the start & finish, event parking, on site catering, camping & overnight camper van parking all located at the one location.
No need for any transfers to get you to the start or finish, just climb out of your tent, have your breakfast prepared & you're off...
Facilities:
Event Camping: We are pleased to confirm that camping is available at the race venue on the Friday and Saturday nights. This is a very cost effective way re accommodation & based at the venue no additional travel is involved. Cost is £5 (TBC) a tent/camper van per night. Please note this is basic camping in a field, kindly provided by Mar Lodge Estate specifically for the event. Fresh water is available & toilets (portable toilets) are provided. There are no changing, washing up, shower facilities or electric provided. If you would like to book camping at the venue please email: info@highterrainevents.co.uk

If you prefer camping with full facilities Braemar Caravan Park is located in the village. For further details & how to book here contact Braemar Caravan Park direct:
Visit Braemar
The village of Braemar lies in a spectacular location & has a good range of accommodation options; hotels, guest houses, B&B's & a large campsite.

Event Location
Mar Lodge, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YJ. Mar Lodge Estate is 3 miles west of Braemar.
UTMB Qualifying Event:

ITRA points are no longer required to access UTMB® Mont-Blanc. A new platform is now set up to allow for races to become UTMB® World Series Qualifiers.

A big thank you to Mar Lodge, Invercauld & Ben Avon Estates

Linn of Avon

Section desending Bealach Dearg with Lochnagar in the distance