Ride the Mountain Railway (Opening Times and Prices - see below) Walk and Ride - Visitors can experience the peace and fresh air of the mountain landscape and combine this with a ride on the railway by considering a Walk and Ride. Use the self guided footpath network to walk up through the ski area on a range of clearly marked trails that take you past the mountain garden and the new camera obscura, continue to the Summit or enter the Ptarmigan Top Station for a well earned break before returning back to the car park on the funicular railway. Allow 90 mins for your walk to the Top Station (another 30 mins if you plan to go on to the summit) and this is a great 3 -4 hour fulfilling day. Don't foget you will need suitable footwear and clothing. You can also do this programme in the company of a guide (see our guided walks section).
Please note that due to the fragile nature of the mountain landscape CairnGorm Mountain operate a visitor management system that assists in protecting the site. It is not possible to go up on the railway and then walk out onto the mountain from the Top Station in the non skiing months. Visitors are free to explore the mountain from car park level using the footpath network. Walkers can enter the Top Station during opening hours via the Walker's Entrance and return to the bottom by train. (Tickets can be purchased in the Shop at the Top).
What our visitors said:
"Wonderful to come back after so many years - still as beautiful as ever - had the best birthday day out". Greenawas - Glasgow.
"Great family day out" Cran family - Banff.
"Fantastic. Feel on top of the world. Will be back". E McCann. Glasgow.
"Beautiful, cold and breathtaking. Loved it!" John May. St Louis, USA.
The UK's highest mountain railway journey offers spectacular views of an ancient Scottish mountain landscape and the viewing terrace at the top offers you the best weather watching opportunity in Britain. All seasons in 1 hour or less......The mountain is the most popular visitor attraction with the Cairngorms National Park. Visitors travel in safety and comfort on a 2km journey from the Base Station at car park level (635m) to the Ptarmigan Top Station 1097m above sea level and just below the summit of Cairn Gorm mountain - Britain's 6th highest mountain. The train is fully accessible for wheelchair users and both the Base Station and Ptarmgian Station have lift access to all levels. If you require any assistance with access our staff team will be happy to assist.
We are open daily thoughout the year (except Christmas Day and for scheduled maintenence in November. The November shutdown normally lasts 10 days - please check the web site for detailed dates closer to your visit). The journey to the top takes approximately 8 minutes and once you reach the Ptarmigan Station you can weather watch from the viewing terrace. Visitor guides are on hand from May through to October and will be happy to identify distant summits and tell you more about the history, geology and lore of this area and how it constantly changes as the season roll by.
The Ptarmigan Station is also home to the mountain exhibition where you can find out more about how nature and the elements have shaped this sub - arctic landcape. how animals and plants have adapted to survive here and why it is so fragile it has to be protected. If this wets your appetite, a Ranger led walk will immerse you in the mountain landscape and give you the best opportunity to discover for yourself the mountain's natural secrets.
Opening Times& Prices Effective from 1st December 2009 From Easter through until the end of October we are open daily from 10am (10.20am on Wednesday's). Trains runs every 30 minutes (more frequently subject to demand). Last train to the Ptarmigan Station is 15.40 and the last train down is normally at 16.20 (times do vary - please check the home page)
Annual Friends Ticket - unlimited funicular travel all year round (excludes skiing), 10% discount in the shops and discount on train tickets) Adult £15 Junior (16 and under) £10 Senior (65 and over) £15 Student (ID required) £15 Family (2+2) £35 Family (1+2) £30
1 Day Ticket Adult £9.75 Junior (16 and under) £6.15 Senior (65 and over) £8.45 Student (ID required) £8.45 Family (2+2) £28.70 Family (1+2) £20.00 Downhill Train Only Ticket - Visitors can walk to the Ptarmigan Top Station using the designated footpaths and enter the top station using the walkers entrance. Downhill train tickets can be purchased in the shop at the top. Adult £7.00 Junior (16 and under) £4.50 Senior (65 and over) £6.15 Student (ID required) £6.15 Family (2+2) £21.40 Family (1+2) £14.90
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