Tribal Tracks is the human key between you and nature.
Patrick VM
Location
Terrain
Difficulty
Accommodation and Meals
Hotel
Duration
4 days
Meeting Point
Aviemore
Annual Leave
2 days
Group Size
20
Seasons
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Walking Distance
38km (23.6m) approx
Meet Charlie, a director of, and one of the co-founders of Tribal Tracks.
Three Peaks to include Ben Macdui, the second-highest mountain in Scotland (and Britain), and Braeriach, Scotland's third-highest mountain.
Two unique, beautiful routes - one circular, one linear
Trek through stunning and dramatic landscapes
Support and leadership from Tribal Tracks Mountain Leader
Meet the Durrell team at Dalnacardoch Estate and learn about the vital conservation work
All the info you need
Trip Details
The Three Peaks Cairngorms Challenge: Ben Mardui, Cairn Gorm and Braeriach. A adventure challenge through the heart of Scotland’s National Park. Tackle the country's second and third highest mountains, journey through rugged alpine landscape, breathtaking granite wilderness and sweeping glens. Afterwards, head to the magnificent Dalnacardoch Estate to learn about Durrell's first conservation project in Scotland. Tribal Tracks Mountain Leaders will be supporting the team throughout the trip.
The trip services will start and finish at the hotel in either Aviemore or Kingussie as per the itinerary.
Trip Details
We will meet at a hotel in Aviemore or Kingussie, where we will have a team briefing and our first dinner together, either at our hotel, or in a local restaurant. Please arrive by 5pm ready for the team briefing before dinner. We will confirm the name and location of the hotel six months prior to the departure date.
Accommodation and Meals
Hotel. Dinner
Distance:17.5km / 11 miles
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 932m
Starting and finishing at the Cairngorm Mountain car park, our route takes us gradually up to the expansive plateau via a broad ridge on reasonable paths, with views into the dramatic Coire an Lochain. Once on the plateau, surrounded by beautiful scenery, we head for the top of Ben Macdui, the second-highest mountain in Britain. We have a boulder field to negotiate before reaching the large summit cairn. Keep your eyes peeled for Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd too!
We will retrace our steps for a short distance before continuing round the edge of the northern corries (hollows caused by glacier erosion) and eventually onto Cairn Gorm, which is the sixth-highest mountain in Britain and a fantastic viewpoint. We will make our descent via the aptly named Windy Ridge.
Most of the route will be dry underfoot, but depending on weather conditions in the run up to the trek, there might be boggy sections.
We will be met by our transport and return to our accommodation.
Accommodation and Meals
Hotel. Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Distance:21km / 13 miles
Time: 8-9 hours
Ascent: 1284m
Starting and finishing at the Sugarbowl car park (just down from Cairngorm Mountain), our second route is a linear 'there-and-back' hike to the summit of Scotlands third-highest mountain. This is by no means easy and you will certainly feel a long way from the nearest road, or any kind of civilisation! There are 'paths' all the way today, so navigation is easier than yesterday, though some are occasionally rubbly and fairly heavily eroded.
First, we head for the Lairig Ghru via the Chalamain Gap. This is a rocky pass that requires care to negotiate the awkward boulders; you might need to do some easy boulder scrambling. We will cross the Lairig Ghru (a well-known historic through-route that links Deeside and Speyside) before a steep climb to Sron na Lairige, which loosely translates to 'ridge of the pass'.
At nearly 1200m, most of today's ascent (and therefore, challenging section) is completed, and the final climb is steady, following the curve of Coire Bhrochain to the summit of Braeriach (1296m). This is not a technical trek, but the summit plateau of Braeriach is challenging. You will have expert guidance and support from our qualified mountain leaders. Large cornices (snow shelves) can build along the rim of Coire Bhrochain, and the corries are well known for their deep snow depth. The snow you can see has survived many summers!
Accommodation and Meals
Hotel. Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Dalnacardoch Estate Tour
Today we will have a private transfer to the spectacular Dalnacardoch Estate, it should take around 50 minutes.
You will have a tour of the estate and learn about the ongoing work from Lucy, Sam and Kevin. If there is time, we may visit one of the neighbouring estates to see the vision for the future. After lunch we will transport you back to the hotel to collect your cars or for onward to travel to Inverness for your flight/train home.
Read more about the rewilding project here.
Accommodation and Meals
Breakfast in hotel and lunch at Dalnacardoch Estate
Trip Details
Trip Details
It is important that you read the itinerary carefully, and take account of the rating we have given it.
Although our challenges are not technical, they do require a good degree of physical fitness. The conditions will require stamina and strength, which you should recognise and train for. This will be a much better experience if you are fit and prepared. You should feel comfortable walking 6-8 hours per day.
Tribal Tracks has 100% Financial Protection and has a trust account with the Protected Trust Service, member number 5566.
This means that all client monies paid to Tribal Tracks are held in our dedicated trust account, which is supervised by an independent trustee. This means that in the very unlikely event that Tribal Tracks ceases to trade, your money is safe. For more information, please visit this link. Any flights booked for you by Tribal Tracks will be ATOL-protected under our own ATOL certificate.
Tribal Tracks considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have thorough safety systems in place.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
We know that the unexpected can happen.
While you are away, things can happen at home and people may need to get in contact with you. This can be tricky when you are in remote areas. So, shortly before departure, we provide you with an Emergency Procedure document to distribute to your nearest and dearest. This sets out how to contact Tribal Tracks and the steps Tribal Tracks will then take to get in contact with you.
It is really important that you are well prepared for your physical challenge and that you are confident that you will be able to fully participate.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in the trek, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to step out of the trek. Although this is a very rare occurrence, by booking this trip you agree to section 11 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances, we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
At Tribal Tracks, Responsible Travel is enormously important to us, and our commitment to responsible travel is evidenced in every itinerary that we prepare.
Core to our business is the belief that holidays can and should be enjoyable to the traveller but should be conducted in a socially, environmentally and economically responsible manner which brings benefit to local communities. This is implemented through a variety of measures which can be found in our Responsible Travel policy. We encourage you to read this and to play your own part in travelling responsibly.
Trip Details
Trip Details
The trek is a challenge. We will be walking for a long time over sometimes challenging terrain with steep ascents and descents.
The best way to build endurance fitness is to start with some gentle walks and gradually build up both the distance and duration over the next few months. In the last 2 months, we would recommend to go out and do long days, ideally in the hills, to build up the strength in your legs. About a week before the trek, limit any training to short walks – you want to have fresh legs at the start!
For the trek you should be comfortable trekking between 6 - 8 hours per day, but remember we have all day to achieve the distances and will not be going at racing snake pace. It may sound obvious, but make sure that you are walking properly, hitting the ground with your heel first, then rolling onto your toe, which pushes you onto the next step (this will help reduce the risk of shin splints and tendon pulls). Walk with your head up, eyes forward and shoulders level.
It is a good idea to develop a level of cardiovascular fitness (exercising and strengthening your heart and lungs). This comes from running, cycling or swimming for between 20 minutes and an hour, and will really help develop your endurance fitness. Three sessions a week is normally advised, increasing time and distance over time.
Replicate conditions in training i.e., use all the kit you will be using and try your walking poles if you want to use them.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
Tribal Tracks will provide you with a packed lunch and snacks to take with you on the trek.
We will ensure you arrive with 2 litres of water, we will provide additional water along the route.
Please ensure that you have notified us if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
Trip Details
Have a question? Get in touch, our small team will be delighted to help.
