Mountain Access & Conservation
Visitor Management Plan Consultation
Following a Ward Forum Meeting earlier in 2010, CairnGorm Mountain is inviting interested parties to consult with the Company on the Visitor Management Plan in operation at CairnGorm. The objective of the consultation is to establish current opinion on the existing arrangements and any future changes (if any) users would wish to see considered in this review. CairnGorm Mountain is interested in hearing from: neighbouring landowners, mountain users, business organisations, conservation groups and community groups.
You can submit your proposals in writing or alternatively arrange to meet with CairnGorm Mountain directly. The consultation period will end on the 30
th September 2010. Written submissions should be made to: Ian Whitaker, Chief Executive, CairnGorm Mountain Ltd, Cairn Gorm Ski Area, Aviemore, PH22 1RB or by email to
ian.whitaker@cairngormmountain.org. If you would prefer to meet with CairnGorm Mountain please contact Helen Wink Tel: 01479 861336
helen.wink@cairngormmountain.org to arrange an appointment.
Conservation & Mountain Access at CairnGorm Mountain The special flora, fauna, soils and habitats of the Cairngorm plateau are protected by law under European Natura legislation. Due to the fragile nature of this mountain landscape it can be easily damaged by trampling and other disturbance e.g. dogs off leads. With the co-operation of the public, CairnGorm Mountain Ltd operates a Visitor Management Plan (VMP) which manages public access onto the mountain and assists in protecting this special high mountain place.
The purpose of the VMP is to protect the integrity of the areas which have been designated under the European Natura legislation from the potential impacts of visitors.
Full details of the conservation management arrangements that operate at CairnGorm Mountain can be found in the Downloads section of the web site under Visitor Management Plan (2000) and appendices and under Terms and Conditions of Carriage.
Here is a summary of the arrangements that operate at CairnGorm Mountain. We respectfully ask all members of the public for their co-operation in helping us protect the mountain environment for the future enjoyment of others.
Visitor and conservation management during the winter skiing months
(normally 1st December – 30th April)
All visitors including skiers and non skiing visitors may use the mountain railway and should undertake their activity within the ski area boundary (please refer to piste map). We remind all visitors that it is not possible to use the railway at any time of the year as a means of access to go beyond the ski area boundary and explore the plateau area. However, visitors are free to explore any part of the mountain area by walking from the car park and we ask them to use the network of established footpath routes.
Our terms and conditions of carriage for non skiing tickets specify that we do not allow the carriage of sports equipment, this includes; ice axes, crampons, mountain bikes etc.
Visitor and conservation management in the non-skiing season (normally 1st May – 30th November)
Visitors to CairnGorm Mountain in the non skiing months who choose to travel on the railway to the Ptarmigan Top Station must remain within the Top Station building and/or the Panoramic Viewing Terrace and not leave these areas to explore the wider mountain area. This is a condition of sale when you make your funicular ticket purchase and you will be reminded by members of the ticket office sales team and the funicular operator.
However, all visitors are free to explore the mountain area by walking from the car park using the network of established footpath routes. It is also possible for those visitors who walk from the car park using the footpath network to enter the Ptarmigan building at the Top Station. Walkers are requested to use the designated walkers entrance and sign in the entrance book (this is a monitoring requirement). Those visitors who have walked up from car park level can then choose to leave the top station (using the walkers entrance door and signing out on exit) or purchase a downhill ticket from the shop at the top and descend by train.
Walkers are advised to check the times of the last public train down before they set off .
For a limited time we have been given permission to guide 90 minute walks from the Top Station on a circular tour to the summit and back. This Walk @ The Top will run as a trial between 17th July and 31st October 2010. Further information can be found on the
Walk @ The Top page. Thank you for your co-operation.
If you require further information please contact us.
These arrangements are reviewed annually and operate together with a detailed monitoring programme which provides valuable information on the condition of paths, habitats, flora and fauna and helps inform the visitor and conservation management arrangements in operation.
