Guided Lairig Ghru Crossing

Dream of doing the Lairig Ghru race and want a guided run ahead of the big day? Or simply want to have an epic adventure on one of the Highlands’ great trails, with a group of likeminded people? Our guided Lairig Ghru crossing is the trail running adventure for you

What is the Lairig Ghru?

The Lairig Ghru is a mountain pass through the heart of the Cairngorm mountains, and probably one of the best-known such passes in Scotland. For centuries, the Lairig Ghru has been used as a means of traversing the high arctic Cairngorm plateau, splitting as it does between the high points of Ben Macdui and Braeriach. It’s truly a classic hill walk - or run!

You’ll follow in the footsteps of Highland cattle raiders and drovers as we enjoy one of Scotland’s finest trails. The route is 32km long, and includes around 600 metres of ascent as we take in some of the most inaccessible trail running in the UK.

Although the Lairig Ghru is remote and mountainous, the majority of the route is run along well-maintained trails. There is a section, roughly 5km long, of rough rocky trail and boulder fields at the highest point of the route.

View the route

What to expect

This guided trail run is all about the adventure! For this point-to-point crossing of the Lairig Ghru, you’ll run with a small team (maximum seven people) and an experienced guide, who’ll navigate the team along the route - ensuring that you can simply focus on the run and enjoy the spectacular scenery while getting to know your fellow runners.

There is likely to be a mix of experience and paces within the group, so we’ll find a pace that keeps the team together and allows time to enjoy our surroundings, take food breaks and get a chance for photos.

The price includes a morning transfer from Aviemore to the Linn of Dee, where we’ll start our run back north.

2025 dates

Dates	Price	Spaces	Booking
Sunday 25 May	£115	Spaces available	Book now
Sunday 15 June	£115	Spaces available	Book now
Sunday 13 July	£115	Spaces available	Book now
Sunday 3 August	£115	Spaces available	Book now

If these dates don't suit please get in touch to arrange a bespoke booking.

Experience and fitness

The route is 32km long and includes around 600 meters of ascent taking in some of the most inaccessible trail running in the UK. Whist the majority of the route is on well maintained trails, the highest section includes 5 km of rough rocky trail and boulder fields. As such it is important that all members of the team are adequately fit and experienced for the day.

The trip is all about the adventure and we will find a pace that keeps the team together and allows time to enjoy our surrounding, take food breaks and get a chance for photos.

A reasonable level of fitness and experience of similar trail runs of over 20km is essential. We would be expecting to complete the route in around 5-6 hours.

If you have any questions about your fitness please get in touch to discuss your options.

Kit you will need

Please refer to our guidance on Essential kit for trail running safely.

We will be covering some very remote terrain so we will have to be prepared to deal with everything that the Scottish weather can throw us. Whilst we don’t want to be over burdened it is essential that every member of the team has enough equipment to deal with the unexpected. Additional safety equipment will be carried by the guides.

Please consider your clothing carefully based on the weather forecast, we will not be racing so please dress warmer than you would for a hard run or race.

Waterproof jacket (with taped or welded seams and a hood)

We recommend:

Montane Spine Waterproof Jacket (for men)
Montane Spine Waterproof Jacket (for women)

Waterproof trousers (with taped or welded seams)

We recommend:

Montane Minimus Waterproof Pants (for men)
Montane Minimus Waterproof Pants (for women)

Running vest

We recommend:

Montane Gecko VP 5+ (unisex)

Spare* synthetic insulated upper layer

*We recommend carrying approximately 300g of synthetically insulated upper layers.

We recommend:
Montane Men's Fireball Lite 360g
Montane Women's Fireball Lite 320g

Hat and gloves suitable for the weather conditions
For cold conditions, we recommend:

Montane Prism Mitt
Montane Via Stretch Beanie

For mild/warm conditions, we recommend:

Montane VIA Trail Gloves

Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Waterproof Cap (unisex)

Trail running shoes

We recommend:

Inov8 TRAILFLY G 270 V2

ROCLITE G 275 V2

Survival bag

We recommend:

Lifesystems Light And Dry Thermal Bivi Bag

Whistle

Food - Enough food to fuel you for at least 6 hours. Water can be refilled on the route.

First aid kit – the guides will be carrying emergency first aid supplies but if you can have a small personal kit with blister pack/compeed and any personal medication.

Midge net

If you have any questions or need advice about any of the equipment please just ask.

Getting here & Timings

We will meet at the Aviemore Tennis Club

There is parking on site and it is 15 minutes walk from Aviemore train station.

We will meet the transfer van at 8.30am. We would expect to finish around 4 or 5 pm. Please arrive by 0815 at the latest.

Accommodation

Wigwam accommodation is available at Badaguish Outdoor Centre at a discount of 15%. Just make a booking through their website and use the code TRS24BADA

We also recommend Hostelling Scotland hostels in Aviemore or Glenmore where you can get a 10% discount by using the code TRAILRUN

Alternatively Aviemore has a wide variety of accommodation options

visitcairngorms.com/accommodation

We are happy to recommend the nearby Rowan Tree Hotel