Classic Mountain Horseshoes: a guided hiking holiday in Scotland
A guided hiking holiday in Scotland (circular routes only)
This short guided hiking holiday in the Highlands of Scotland delivers some of the most challenging mountain walking the Highlands has to offer. We trace the edge of highly impressive cliff & corrie scenery to gain some of Scotland’s most distinguished peaks. All-in-all 10 Munros in 4 days.
This trip is like Ben Nevis on steroids. Though we are going to climb Scotland’s most famous peak on our guided walking holiday, we’re not going to do it the easy way. We’re taking in more than one mountain and the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. We’ll see far fewer people and we’ll also be able to admire the spectacular cliffs of the north face, which many people can’t see at all from the so-called “tourist” path. You’ll be able to understand why so many climbers flock to the Ben.
If you’re not tired after climbing Britain’s highest peak, don’t worry we have more in store. We’ll also be heading up Cairngorm – the peak from which Britain’s largest national park takes it’s name. (Don’t worry we’ll explain why when it’s not even the highest peak in the area.)
Hiking in the Cairngorms
HIGHLIGHTS of the Classic Mountain Horseshoes – a guided hiking holiday in Scotland
- 6 nights accommodation at Fraoch Lodge
- 4 guided day hikes
- 1 day to relax and explore the area at your own pace, try another activity, go birdwatching etc
- all meals at Fraoch Lodge from evening of arrival to morning of departure
- transport to the walks
- transfers from/to Aviemore station or Inverness airport
PROPOSED ROUTES INCLUDE
- Cairngorm
- Ben Nevis
- Carn Mor Dearg
- Creag Meagaidh
- Ben a’Ghlo
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On the ridge – feeling comfortable (Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete
Enquire about this tour
The heart of the Cairngorms only visible to those who are prepared to hike in.
Spectacular circular walks chosen specifically so that the route is not repeated as a “there-and-back” walk. This trip includes an ascent of Ben Nevis via the spectacular Carn Mor Dearg Arete. You will need a head for heights but there is no roped climbing involved with this trip.
Arrive: at Fraoch Lodge and get to know the rest of the group at dinner
Day 1: Cairngorm
Day 2: Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete
Day 3: Rest day
Day 4: Creag Meagaidh
Day 5: Ben a’Ghlo
Depart: Fraoch Lodge after breakfast
The order in which the walks are completed may vary according to the prevailing weather conditions. We would like you to have the very best experience and will therefore arrange the days in order that you have the best opportunity for views. On rare occasions it may not be possible from a safety point of view to complete all the advertised walks but alternatives will be provided and we always do our very best to provide the itinerary advertised.
Hiking group celebrate reaching the top of one of Scotland’s many mountains
Enjoy top class family friendly and freshly prepared food.
We asked our guests what sets Scot Mountain Holidays apart, why they return year after year:
“the social aspect” – “the camaraderie, food and conversation” –
“the company of the hosts” – “so warm and welcoming” –
“a profound sense of belonging” – “the welcome of Rebecca’s home cooked meal” – “Andy’s skills as a guide, naturalist and leader” – “stewardship, sustainability and a small footprint” – “in harmony with the land” – “a slice of rural Scottish life”Scot Mountain Holidays is the ONLY adventure tour operator in Highlands of Scotland with a combined home and guest lodge. We strive to be more than just an tour. We aim to provide you with a ‘home away from home’ on your adventures. We thought of no better way of doing this than to welcome you into our own home.
We have owned and operated Fraoch Lodge as our home base and business since 1999. In that time, we have come to embrace our guests as members of our extended Highland family.
We source our meals from locally produced and home grown ingredients to provide you with the most delicious flavours and traditions the area has to offer (while minimising our impact on the environment, too). Our dining room and lounge are shared spaces where we gather with guests and friends to share in the holiday and offer you extensive knowledge of your tour.
No matter the season, the Cairngorms and Fraoch Lodge is a place to relax and explore all its beauty and comforts, and we hope to make you feel as at home as we are.
Relax by the fire (whisky optional)
We have achieved Gold Star Awards from the world’s most highly respected green accreditation scheme, Green Tourism, and were awarded Highly Commended in their Green Star Awards 2013 for both Scot Mountain Holidays and Fraoch Lodge. We offer a Green Travel Discount of £15 to any guests who travel to us by public transport. Our primary aim is to minimise the carbon footprint of our holidays, and to this end we donate 1% of the price of our tours to the RSPB’s Abernethy Reforestation project.
It is a holistic approach we have to the care of the environment. Andy your adventure guide has a passion for the natural world – whether it’s the flora, fauna or fungi. He has a background in geology and a lifelong interest in natural history, as well as being a keen gardener. He knows a Golden Plover from a Dotterel, a Green Shank and a Dunlin. He also makes no apologies to being very excitable upon spying a Golden Eagle!
For further information, please don’t hesitate to check out our Environmental Responsibility page, or contact us directly at info@scotmountainholidays.com.
Gold standard for Green Tourism
50@50 Munro raid
Autumn Munros
Cairngorm 4000ers
Glencoe Summer Munros
