3,842 ft · Cairngorms, Scotland
Ben Avon
Ben Avon is a 3,842 ft peak in the Cairngorms, Scotland. The standard route is the Normal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The Sneck: 20 mi, 3,290 ft of gain, Class 2.
Ben Avon at a glance
- Elevation3,842 ft1,171 m
- RouteNormal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The SneckClass 2
- Distance20 mi3,290 ft gain
- Time12 – 14 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Sep
- RangeCairngormsScotland
Climbing the Normal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The Sneck
From Braemar, drive east on the A93 and turn off near Invercauld Bridge to the Keiloch car park (parking charge). Follow the estate lane and the old right of way up Gleann an t-Slugain, ideally by mountain bike, then walk beside the Glas Allt Mor to The Sneck, the high col with Beinn a' Bhuird. Climb onto the huge tor-studded plateau of Ben Avon to the summit tor, whose top needs a short, easy scramble through a central cleft (Class 2). Finding it in mist is hard, and wind makes the tor awkward. Very fit walkers add Beinn a' Bhuird. Start early for this long day.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Remote location
- Low visibility
- Route-finding difficulty
- High winds
Quests with Ben Avon
MunrosPeaks near Ben Avon
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Ben Avon?
Ben Avon is 3,842 feet (1,171 m) tall. It is in the Cairngorms, Scotland. It is also known as Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe.
How does Ben Avon rank among the Munros?
At 3,842 feet, Ben Avon is the 17th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike Ben Avon?
The Normal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The Sneck is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 20 miles with 3,290 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Ben Avon?
Most people take 12 – 14 hours round trip on the Normal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The Sneck, covering 20 miles with 3,290 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Ben Avon?
The Normal Route via Gleann an t-Slugain and The Sneck needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 20 miles with 3,290 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Ben Avon?
The usual hiking window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Ben Avon with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list