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The Cairngorms are a range of mountains in the far eastern are of the Scottish Highlands. There are no direct access routes through the Cairngorms. All roads either give access to the mountain range or allow access around them. This shows how isolated the region is. In the past people have been said to be able to travel through the Cairngorms using the traditional passages through the mountains of Lairig Ghru and Lairig Laoigh. Or they can pass around them by following the traditional paths of Glen Dee - Glen Feshie and Bealach Dearg.
The Cairngorms boats five of the six highest peaks in Scotland. Ben Macdhui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Cairn Gorm itself all grace the area but Ben Nevis is the exception that lies elsewhere.
Wildlife is rife within the national park and the Caledonian Forest is a prominent part of the park. The park offers a moorland habitat and in doing so attracts animals such as Golden Eagles, Snowy Owls and Black Grouse. Pine Martins, Wild Cats and Otters are also prevalent within the park and the only herd of Reindeer within the United Kingdom can be found.
Due to the national park's northern position, a winter sports industry is thriving. There are three of Scotland's winter sports venues situated within the park boundaries. Cairn Gorm Ski Centre, The Lecht Ski Centre and Glenshee Ski Centre offer a variety of recreations and attractions that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the winter sports.
The views on offer are also spectacular and the terrain provides some amazing walks, bird-spotting, fly fishing and gliding. The most notorious ice climb in the world, The Hurting, is also located in the Cairngorms which make it a challenging and attractive proposition to anyone with an interest in climbing.
There aren't many urban settlements around the region with the majority of towns and villages containing no more than a couple of thousand people each in an area of Britain that is very sparsely populated.
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