Tel: 07901 684 579 | Email: ian@trailrunningscotland.com

Mountain of the Month

New for 2025, this is our monthly dose of mountain adventure. Every month we will choose a new objective, building up through the summer towards a bigger final challenge. 

The format is simple, block out the second Saturday of each month in your diary, then join our experienced guides and a friendly team of runners to enjoy a great day in the mountains! 

The groups will never be more than 5 runners per guide so you can be sure of being in good hands.

2025 routes

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Creag Meagaidh

21km 1200m

The circuit of the three Creag Meagaidh munros begins with a steep climb, out of the birch forest and up onto the ridge. This gets most of the climbing for the day out of the way and leaves 10km of high level running on a stunning, grassy ridge line. Close to the centre of Scotland, this ridge gives views of summits in all directions. From here the trail drops down into the spectacular Coire Ardair and along undulating single track trails back to the start.

Check out the route here

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Beinn a'Ghlo

22km 1300m

The ridge line of Beinn a'Ghlo dominates the skyline above Blair atoll and marks the start of the Cairngorms as you drive north up the A9. This whaleback ridge includes 3 munro summits linked by some airy running and steeper climbs. The final summit of the day comes at halfway, meaning 11km of continuous downhill running to bring us back to the start.

Check out the route here

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Lochnagar Munros

29km 1300m 

Undoubtedly, one of the finest high level trail runs in Scotland. This circuit takes in the 5 Munros of the White Mounth. Wide trails lead from the loch side at Loch Muick and climb steadily to the rugged cliffs of Lochnagar, the jewel in the crown of Royal Deeside. Once up on the high plateau, the remainder of the route enjoys flowing trails as it links around the high points overlooking the Dubh Loch and Loch Muick before descending back to the starting point. A must have in any mountain runners to do list!

Check out the route here

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Ben Nevis via CIC & CMD arete

24km 1950m

As we progress through the summer, our objectives are becoming more challenging. This month we take on the UK's highest peak. Rather than the trudge of the tourist route, this route enjoys a full circuit of the mountain, dropping down to the C.I.C hut, a small alpine climbing hut nestled below the looming cliffs of the north face, before climbing up to Carn Mor Dearg, a fabulous viewpoint. From here we take on the famous CMD arete, a grade 1 scramble. This narrow rocky ridge needs to be taken carefully, but with the right route choice and helpful tips from our qualified guides, you will enjoy the feeling of rock flowing under you as you move over the ridge and then up through boulders to the summit.

Check out the route here.  

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Cairngorm 4000's

37km 2500m

Our summer of monthly mountain challenges culminates in this classic, remote mountain circuit of the Cairngorm 4000's, the five peaks over 4000 foot high. Only Ben Nevis is higher in the UK. Starting at the Cairngorm Ski area we traverse the Chalamain Gap before climbing up onto the Braeriach side of the plateau. The route then skirts the spectacular cliffs of Garbh Coire before dropping down into the Lairig Ghru. With 3 of the 5 Munros in the bag don't be fooled into thinking you are nearly done, from here a long climb is needed to ascend Ben Macdui before the final run round to the final summit of Cairngorm.

Check out the route here.  
  

Dates for 2025 

Date Route Price Spaces Booking
10 May Creag Meagaidh  £95 Places available  Book now 
14 June  Beinn a'Ghlo  £95 Places available  Book now 
12 July  Lochnagar Munros  £95 Places available  Book now 
9 August Ben Nevis & CMD  £95 Places available  Book now  
13 September Cairngorm 4000's  £95 Places available  Book now  

If you can't wait please get in touch to arrange some bespoke guiding.

Transport

We want these days to be as accessible as possible, so where possible we can arrange a pick up from nearby public transport links. We will also strongly encourage lift sharing within the team to reduce the travel footprint.

Alternative plans

As we all know from planning mountain adventures in Scotland, the success of the day relies on favourable weather forecasts and an adaptable approach. We can’t guarantee good weather for these adventures, which means we can’t guarantee that it will be sensible to complete the routes as planned. However, our guides have huge experience of running throughout Scotland, so we will always be able to plan an alternative route, if we need to, that makes the best of the day and gives everyone a great adventure.

Experience and fitness

 

This trip is all about the adventure and we will find a pace that keeps the team together and allows time to enjoy our surroundings including food breaks and a chance for photos. We will not be racing, the majority of the uphill sections will be walked. 

The main requirement for this trip is a good level of stamina and experience in the hills

The trails will be a mix of easy running and some more technical single-track, so some off road running experience is useful. 

A good level of mountain walking fitness along with a base of off road running experience up to steady 20km runs will help you to get the most out of the weekend.

 

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 are aiming for high mountain 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.

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)

Survival bag 

We recommend:

Lifesystems Light And Dry Thermal Bivi Bag

Whistle

Adequate footwear - Fell trail shoes only

We recommend:

Inov8 TRAILFLY G 270 V2  
Inov8 Roclite G 275   

Food - Enough lunch and snacks to fuel a full day in the mountains

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.


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

 

When booking you will receive a 20% discount code to use with Montane to help you equip yourself for the weekend. 

Getting here & Timings

Meeting information will be emailed to you on confirmation of booking. 

We will either meet at the start point of each run, or nearby. 

We encourage lift sharing or use of public transport so can help with local pick-ups if needed. 

 

We will meet at 9 or 10am on Saturday depending on the route. 

Depending on the route we would expect to finish around 3 or 4 pm.

 

Our Cairngorm 4000's day will run from 7.30 am to around 5pm. 

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