Join us for a truly demanding winter adventure as we cross the Cairngorms from northeast to southwest, dragging sleds over 100km of wild, snow-covered terrain. You'll travel self-supported through the UK's highest plateau, staying in tents, snow holes (conditions permitting), and remote huts, with the chance to experience Scotland at its most remote and rewarding.
Friday – Arrive at Inverness Airport from 8pm onwards. We’ll transfer to nearby accommodation and hold a relaxed pre-trip briefing to go over the plans for the days ahead.
Saturday – Transfer into the Cairngorms National Park and check in to our second accommodation. We’ll head out for a short walk to stretch the legs and then return for a full kit check and optional shopping run for any last-minute gear. Early dinner and final prep before the expedition begins.
Sunday to Saturday – The full traverse begins. Each day we’ll hike approximately 15km, pulling expedition sleds (pulks) loaded with our winter kit. The route takes us through remote plateaus, deep snowfields, and wild mountain terrain. At night, we’ll pitch tents or build snow shelters, melt snow for water, and prepare hot meals together. This is a true team effort, with everyone helping with camp tasks.
Saturday night – After completing the traverse, we’ll return to indoor accommodation for a hot shower and a well-earned dinner out. Expect plenty of laughs and storytelling over drinks.
Sunday – Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and morning before returning to Inverness Airport for the journey home.
The Cairngorms National Park in northeast Scotland is one of the most remote and wild places in the UK. Known for its wide, open plateaus and Arctic-like conditions in winter, the area offers a real taste of expedition life close to home. The route begins in the northeast sector of the park and traverses across to the southwest, covering some of the highest and most exposed ground in Britain.
Our starting and end point is Inverness, which is accessible by air or bus from most UK cities. All ground transport from Inverness is included, keeping the logistics simple and efficient. You’ll spend the majority of your time completely immersed in the mountains, far away from roads and phone signals.
Before and after the expedition, we’ll stay in comfortable hostel-style accommodation close to the Cairngorms. The first night helps everyone settle in, check kit, and get to know the group. The final night gives a chance to relax, shower, and celebrate together after completing the full winter crossing.
During the expedition itself, we’ll be wild camping each night in high-quality expedition tents or snow shelters, depending on weather and snow conditions. This accommodation is basic but fully fit for purpose in a winter mountain environment. Sleeping bags and roll mats are not included but can be hired separately if needed.
This is a physically demanding winter expedition and suitable for those with a good base level of fitness and some mountain walking experience. You’ll be required to carry out camp tasks including digging snow shelters, setting up tents, melting snow for water, and preparing meals. While no previous snow-camping experience is required, a positive attitude and willingness to work as part of a team is essential.
You don’t need to own technical winter equipment—crampons, ice axe, helmet, pulk and expedition tents are all provided. Snowshoes are not included. Sleeping gear is your responsibility, but we can help with hire if needed. You’ll also need to bring your own clothing layers and personal kit for hiking in cold, snowy conditions.
This London-based adventure company is all about showing how accessible real mountain experiences can be—even with a full-time job. Designed to work around busy schedules, many trips run over a weekend or use minimal leave, making them perfect for city dwellers seeking proper adventure without the fuss.
With deep roots in the British hills, the team is passionate about wild and remote environments. Every trip is led by a qualified International Mountain Leader with strong expedition experience. The company handles all logistics from the moment you land, including travel, guiding, equipment and food, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
You don’t need previous winter hiking or snow camping experience, but some prior hiking experience in the hills or mountains is essential. The expedition involves walking 15km per day over snow-covered terrain while pulling a sled and helping with group camp tasks, so a good base level of fitness and some confidence in the outdoors are important.
The group will be supported by an experienced International Mountain Leader who will provide guidance throughout, including instruction on using crampons, ice axes, and how to build snow shelters when conditions allow. As long as you're comfortable spending long days outdoors and working as part of a team, you’ll be well looked after.
The Cairngorms plateau is the highest and most remote in the UK. Much of the terrain is open, exposed, and often covered in deep snow during winter. The route includes gentle ascents and descents, rather than steep technical climbs, but it’s the weather and snow conditions that often make this environment particularly tough.
You'll be hiking for 7–9 days straight, pulling pulks loaded with your gear, and often dealing with wind, cold temperatures, and the challenge of moving across uneven ground. The physical challenge is significant, but manageable with preparation, good fitness, and a willingness to embrace expedition life.
A pulk is a type of sled used to carry your equipment across snow-covered terrain. Instead of carrying a heavy rucksack on your back, your personal gear, group kit, and some food will be loaded into the pulk, which you'll pull behind you using a harness system.
While it reduces the load on your shoulders, pulling a pulk still requires effort, especially in deep snow or strong winds. The total weight varies depending on the gear needed, but the setup is designed to distribute weight efficiently. You'll receive instruction on how to pack and use the pulk effectively.
You’ll be staying in hostel-style accommodation on the first and final nights of the trip. These nights give you a chance to settle in, get to know the group, and freshen up after the expedition before travelling home. They also provide a warm, comfortable base for the kit check and final night celebration.
During the expedition itself, you’ll be sleeping in high-quality extreme-weather tents or snow shelters, depending on the conditions. The aim is to be entirely self-sufficient, meaning we’ll be melting snow for water, cooking as a group, and sleeping in wild, remote areas far from any buildings or roads.
All food while on the mountain is included—from Sunday morning through to Saturday evening. This will typically consist of expedition-style meals, such as dehydrated or boil-in-the-bag meals that are calorie-dense and easy to prepare in challenging conditions.
You’ll need to bring any preferred snacks, such as energy bars, trail mix, or chocolate. Meals before and after the mountain phase (i.e., during your stay in Inverness) are not included, so you’ll need cash for pub dinners or breakfasts in town. A shopping trip will be built into the Saturday schedule in case you forget anything.
The Cairngorms are known for their unpredictable and sometimes harsh winter weather. While the aim is to complete the full point-to-point traverse, the safety of the group is always the top priority. Routes may be adjusted or shortened if weather conditions become unsafe.
Your guide is a qualified Winter Mountain Leader with extensive experience in winter mountain conditions and decision-making. They'll monitor weather forecasts closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure a safe and rewarding expedition for everyone.
Physical preparation should focus on building stamina and strength through regular hillwalking, hiking with a loaded backpack, or endurance training such as cycling or running. You should be comfortable walking for 6–8 hours per day in mixed terrain and cold weather.
Mentally, it’s helpful to come prepared for discomfort. You’ll be cold, tired, and working as a team in a challenging environment. That’s part of what makes the experience so rewarding. A positive attitude, sense of humour, and willingness to get stuck in will make all the difference.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Operated by City Mountaineering, a partner of adventuro.
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