Falls of Dee

Falls of Dee is a remote waterfall in the Cairngorms of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The infant River Dee tumbles over the crags of An Garbh Choire, the great corrie on the south side of Braeriach. It is widely described as the highest waterfall in the UK, and it is also one of the hardest to reach. There is no car park and no signed path, only high mountain terrain inside the Cairngorms National Park.

Where are the Falls of Dee?

The falls sit high on the Braeriach massif, at roughly 57.07° N, 3.74° W. Do not confuse them with the Linn of Dee, a small rocky gorge low in Glen Dee, or with the Chest of Dee, a separate feature further down the river. The Falls of Dee are far higher and much more remote, just below the plateau edge.

Where does the river begin?

The Dee rises at the Wells of Dee, springs regarded as the highest source of any watercourse in the British Isles. The water gathers on the plateau, cuts a small channel and then drops into the corrie. From there the river runs down Glen Dee and across Aberdeenshire to the North Sea at Aberdeen.

How do you get to the Falls of Dee?

Expect a full day in the hills and bring solid navigation skills.

• From Glen Dee: start at the Linn of Dee car park, cycle or walk to Derry Lodge, continue towards Corrour Bothy in the Lairig Ghru and climb to the ridge above the corrie. A bike helps on the early track, but the path further on gets boggy.
• From Glen Einich: a popular approach to Braeriach, followed by a walk along the corrie rim.
• Along the rim: you view the falls from above, and the route is often combined with a detour to the Wells of Dee and on to Cairn Toul.

Including a bike approach, a full round over Braeriach comes to about 23 miles with around 1,100 m of ascent. Take real care near the cliff edges in poor weather.

When is the best time to go?

Late spring to early autumn. In winter the falls can vanish under deep snow, and the water only reappears in late spring. Weather on the plateau changes quickly, so carry a map, compass and spare layers.

What else will you see on the way?

• Corrour Bothy, a one-room stone refuge in the Lairig Ghru between the Devil's Point and Cairn Toul. Avoid drinking straight from the river below the bothy.
• An Garbh Choire itself, one of the wildest corries in the Cairngorms.
• The Munros of Braeriach and Cairn Toul.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Falls of Dee the highest waterfall in Britain? Walk reports and guides describe them that way. The height is hard to judge from below because the water drops off the corrie walls beneath the plateau.

Is there a short route to the falls? No. From any direction it is a long mountain day, usually many miles each way.

Are the Falls of Dee the same as the Linn of Dee? No. The Linn of Dee is a set of rapids low in the glen, an easy walk from the car park. The Falls of Dee lie high under Braeriach.

Can you visit in winter? Snow usually hides the falls, and the trip demands winter equipment and experience.