Càrn a' Ghèoidh

Càrn a' Ghèoidh, at 975 metres — "Hill of the Goose" — is the highest of the three Cairnwell Munros and, unlike its two neighbours, retains a genuine feeling of remoteness and escape from the ski infrastructure that dominates the immediate surroundings.

Reached from Càrn Aosda, the route skirts south-west around the bowl containing the Glenshee ski centre before climbing onto the wide ridge of Creag a' Choire Dhìrich, with wonderful views into the frosty wilderness of Coire Dhìrich. The path continues across the broad plateau of Càrn nan Sac — bypassed on its western side, or climbed directly by those wanting the extra top — before a flat, open moorland plain, known as The Coolah, leads to the base of a short climb up the rocky summit. Glas Tulaichean and its graceful ridges dominate the view west from the cairn, the highest point of the Cairnwell round.

From the summit, the route retraces back towards Càrn nan Sac before descending to the bealach below the Aosda-Cairnwell ridge, from where the final Munro of the traditional round, The Cairnwell, is climbed.

The full three-Munro circuit — Càrn Aosda, Càrn a' Ghèoidh, and The Cairnwell — from the Glenshee Ski Centre is around 12-14 kilometres with a total ascent of only around 600-717 metres, typically four and a half to six hours, making this one of the most approachable multi-Munro days in Scotland thanks to the high starting altitude.

The featureless plateau of The Coolah can genuinely catch out navigation in mist despite the well-marked paths in clear weather — a map, compass, or GPS remains essential, and several regular visitors specifically report losing the path in clagged-in conditions despite the otherwise gentle terrain.

Parking at the Glenshee Ski Centre is chargeable, with toilets and a café on site; there is a bus service along the A93 with a stop at the ski centre.