CairnGorm Mountain has embarked on a trial scheme to allow walkers reaching the top of the mountain to return to base on the CairnGorm Funicular.

Visitors can walk uphill on the existing, self-guided footpaths within Coire Cas or on Windy Ridge to the Top Station and enjoy the facilities of The Ptarmigan café before either continuing their descent either by foot or now by train.

CairnGorm Mountain will monitor the number of tickets sold for the single return journey and visitors using the new service will be asked if their route took them close to the protected natural area of the mountain.

A reverse journey has not been permitted by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council, in order to protect the flora and fauna of the fragile natural site.

Chief executive Bob Kinnaird said: “We are encouraging walkers to use the existing footpaths and to learn more about the mountain from the interpretive messages that they communicate. They are then absorbed into our all-embracing philosophy that seeks to enhance their knowledge of, and respect for, the mountains and that has to be a very positive experience for everyone.”

“Allowing visitors to make the reverse journey was never an option as it could generate too much foot-fall traffic on the mountain and walking downhill has the greater potential to damage, or erode, footpaths than is caused by walking uphill.”

The initiative will run until 31 October, when it will be reviewed. Details: www.cainrgormmountain.org