The Cairngorms National Park is one of the most amazing and inspiring environments. For hillwalkers and climbers it presents a chance to experience one of Britain's last truly wild places with mountains reaching over 4000ft. Although I probably don't venture into the great outdoors as often as I'd like to, last weekend I took the opportunity to climb Ben Macdui - the highest peak in the Cairngorms and the second highest mountain in the British Isles at 4295ft.

The first part of our route was around 5 miles by mountain bike from Linn of Dee near Braemar to Derry Lodge where we left the bikes. From here we took the path that leads from the other side of the Derry Burn and rises steeply onto the shoulder of Derry Cairngorm. The photograph below shows the view back to Inverey and Braemar.

As the mist and rain came down we continued on to the stony and expansive plateau of Ben Macdui and admired the view southwards over the awe inspiring cliffs of Coire Sputan Dearg.

The weather was mixed to say the least and as the quickest route off the plateau was shrouded in mist we took the long route back down to Glen Derry by Loch Etchachan.

All in all it was a long and tiring day but an amazing experience.

Our starting point for this walk was Braemar but Nethy Bridge is also a great base for walks in the Cairngorms National Park. Listed below are just a few....

Ryvoan Pass - Glenmore to Nethybridge

Nethybridge riverside and Dell woods

Castle Roy circuit, Nethybridge

Abernethy Forest and Ryvoan circuit

Geal Charn, from Dorback Lodge near Nethybridge