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The Sustainable Stop

Munro Profile 17: Ben Avon

Region: The Cairngorms
Height: 1,171m (3,842 ft)

Ben Avon is one of the most distinctive Munros in Scotland, known for its sprawling plateau and granite tors. The summit, Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe, is a rounded outcrop perched above a vast wilderness. It’s often paired with Beinn a’Bhuird for a full-day circuit. For campervan travellers, access is scenic but remote, requiring a long walk-in and careful planning.

Trailhead and Parking

Primary Access Point: Keiloch Car Park (Invercauld Estate)

  • Location: Just east of Braemar, off the A93
  • Grid Reference: NO188911
  • Capacity: Moderate; suitable for daytime campervan access
  • Facilities: Information boards; no toilets or water
  • Charges: Free
  • Overnight: Not permitted

Alternative Options

  • Braemar: Campsite with full facilities, 10-minute drive from the trailhead
  • Wild parking: Possible in designated laybys along the A93 (check signage and seasonal restrictions)
  • Keiloch Car Park: Forestry site with access to estate tracks

Route Overview

Standard Ascent: Via Gleann an t-Slugain and Sneck Pass, often extended to include Beinn a’Bhuird.

  • Distance: Approximately 37.5 km round trip
  • Elevation Gain: Around 1,300 metres
  • Terrain: Estate tracks, heather slopes, high plateau
  • Time Estimate: 8 to 10 hours

Navigation Notes

  • Summit plateau is a broad and featureless map; a compass or GPS is essential.
  • Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe is the highest tor and true summit
  • Often combined with Beinn a’Bhuird for a full-day traverse

Campervan Suitability

Day Parking

  • Invercauld Estate Car Park allows daytime campervan access
  • Braemar offers overflow options and amenities

Overnight Options

  • Braemar Campsite: Toilets, showers, electric hook-ups
  • Wild parking may be possible in designated laybys (check signage)
  • No overnighting permitted at Invercauld trailhead

Fuel and Supplies

  • Braemar: Fuel station, small shop, outdoor gear
  • Nearest large supermarket: Ballater

Legacy Log

  • Name origin: “Ben Avon” may derive from “hill of the river”
  • Summit features: Granite tor with panoramic views across the eastern Cairngorms
  • Known for: Remote feel, surreal landscape, and high-level solitude
  • Often part of the Cairngorm wilderness circuits, popular with long-distance walkers

Closing Notes

This is Munro Profile 17 in your campervan-access series. If you’ve climbed Ben Avon, navigated the Glen Slugain approach, or found a reliable overnight spot nearby, feel free to share your comments. Your insights help shape the archive and support fellow travellers.

Sources Used
These sites provide far more detailed and comprehensive overviews of the walks and Munros than I could hope to cover here:

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