Braeriach, Sgor an Lochan Uaine, Cairn Toul & Devil's Point; 20th Sept 2006, 6th Oct 2016 & 28th July 2019.

Route from Loch an Eilein: 27.3 miles, 1715m=5625' ascent.
Route from the Sugar Bowl: 21.65 miles, 2010m=6600' ascent.
Route from Linn of Dee: 26.25 miles, 1630m=5350' ascent, 12¼hrs.

Routes: The three routes here, two from the north and one from the south, provide a fine, long ridge walk over Braeriach, Sgor an Lochan Uaine, Cairn Toul, and the Devil's Point. That from the Sugar Bowl car park on Cairn Gorm probably requires the most effort although it is the shortest. As well as more ascent, there is boulder hopping each way in the Chalamain Gap. The other northern route, that from Loch an Eilein, has rather a lot of contouring round lower slopes in order to include the Devil's Point, but it has good views of Loch Einich as well as pleasant paths through Scots pine forestry. The southern approach from Linn of Dee has the same length and marginally less ascent than that from Loch an Eilein, but over six miles can be cycled between Linn of Dee and Derry Lodge. This makes it the easiest of the three choices. Both this southern walk and that from the Sugar Bowl involve walking the part of the Lairig Ghru under the impressive corries of Breariach and Cairn Toul.
With straight-forward descents over the length of the western flanks of the ridge, the route from Loch an Eilein can be shortened more easily than the others should weather, day-light or fitness dictate. If this is a possibility, shortening the clockwise version has the following consequences. Omitting the Devil's Point shortens the route by 3 miles to 24.4 miles and the ascent to 1540m if Stob Coire an t-Saighdeir is still included, and by a further mile to 23.4 miles and only 1490m ascent if it too is removed. Omitting Cairn Toul as well reduces the mileage to 22.1 miles with 1345m of ascent. Omitting Sgor an Lochan Uaine but still including Carn na Criche shortens the walk still further, to just 19.6 miles with 1215m of ascent. Going only as far as the summit of Braeriach via the location of the former Sinclair Hut and returning by the outward route is a walk of 17.75 miles with 1195m ascent. So those who might do Munro tops in the future should include at least Carn na Criche with Braeriach as there is not much extra effort involved. If the ridge is broken into two walks, the mid point mountain, Sgor an Lochain Uaine, is marginally easier to do with Cairn Toul from the south than with Braeriach from the north.
The route from Linn of Dee is most easily shortened when done in a clockwise direction simply by returning by the outward route, but contouring horizontally on the western side between cols to omit going over the tops again, and descending Coire Odhar to Corrour Bothy. Apart from the two access points at the north and south ends of the ridge, there are no other sensible escape routes eastwards in this walk. Turning back after only the Devil's Point and Cairn Toul is a walk of 20.9 miles with 1300m ascent. Including Sgor an Lochan Uaine as well takes it to 22¼ miles and 1565m of ascent with a return over Cairn Toul, and to 22.0 miles with 1490m ascent if the return bypasses the summit of Cairn Toul.
Braeriach on its own can be done sensibly from the Sugar Bowl car park on Cairn Gorm. This is just a 12.6 mile walk with 1250m/4100' ascent.
Given the length of the walks, I recommend building up enough fitness to do the complete ridge in one day. Of course, camping at one of the huts/bothies (e.g. Corrour) is also a possibility.
Weather 6/10/16: Light breeze, dry, cloud base above tops, sunny intervals.
Map: The OS Explorer 403 does not cover the walk in from Loch an Eilein. The older Outdoor Leisure series map #3 does.

Route from Loch an Eilein:

Route from the Linn of Dee:

Route from the Sugar Bowl Car Park: Drive towards Cairn Gorm, and park just before the first big bend, approximately 1.75 miles after the L. Morlich Visitor Centre.