A two-stage 'challenge run' crossing the Cairngorm mountains from Speyside to Deeside - with hostel overnight stop half-way

Two days of guided trail running through the magestic Cairngorm mountain range. Together we will run 35km from Coylumbridge to Linn of Dee via the Lairig Ghru, a huge steep-sided pass linking Speyside with Deeside. The pass has a long history providing ease of passage through the area's mountainous terrain and today offers fantastic trail running throughout. Highlights include the Scots Pine of Rothiemurchas, the boulders of the Linn of Dee, the great cliffs of impressive Munros and two well-situated bothies enroute. Finishing at the deep-cut gorge where the River Dee meets the road, our runners will be shuttled to nearby Braemar for tea and cake (to avoid 10K road running!) We will stay in the newly refurbished and very well-appointed Braemar Youth Hostel overnight, where you can cook-up your own meal and relax by the fire (note there is supermarket in the village, so you don't need to carry all your food if you don't want to).

Day 2 will start with some runnable track along the River Lui to Derry Lodge, beyond which we will travel through the open vista of Glen Derry, passing below the distant Hutchison Memorial Hut before crossing over into the Lairig an Laoigh. This pass has a wilderness feel as we descend to the Fords of Avon, continuing North around the flank of Bynack Mor with it's distinctive barns. Finally our runners will pass by the magical Green Lochan to finish in Glenmore Forest Park (38km).

Part of this route is included in our guidebook Running Challenges from Vertebrate Publishing, written by Keri Wallace.

Running over 70km and 1500m over 2 days (on rough ground) is a tough challenge. You will need a good level of running fitness/endurance to get the most out of this weekend - but you don't need to be fast! We'll be on the move for a long day but we won't be in a rush. Bring snacks and smiles! You should expect to carry plenty of layers, lunch and overnight essentials with you (full kit list and details to be provided upon booking). You will not need to carry evening meal, cooking equipment or bedding with you.

Please note that Girls on Hills guides will amend our intinerary according to the weather and may need to shorten the route if conditions are very poor.

To find out more about what's involved in Girls on Hills events visit: www.girlsonhills.com/faqs

Ticket costs covers low-ratio guiding and instruction with a Summer Mountain Leader qualified guide, with outdoor first aid credentials, and shuttles at each end as required. One night of hostel accommodation (self-catering with showers, drying room and shared lounge) is also included. Towels available upon request.

We pride ourselves on being 'approachable and relatable' so please please do get in touch with any concerns or queries you might have now or nearer to the event. We look forward to having some fun and showing you some great trail running in the Scottish Highlands!

*This course will NOT run with less than 3 persons booked. In this case all parties will be refunded in full and given advance notice of any cancellation.

Please note that the Girls on Hills Terms and Conditions are different from those of Eventbrite and our Cancellation Policy can be viewed via our website at www.girlsonhills.com/terms-and-conditions.

Description supplied by the event organiser.