The easiest and most popular ascent of Càrn a' Gheòidh starts at the Glenshee Ski Centre on the A93 road (grid reference ). The starting height of 640 metres gives an easy ascent of just over 300 metres. The route goes west through the ski area to reach the head of Butchart's corrie and then along the NE ridge, initially skirting the lip of the steep Coire Dhirich, then passing over Càrn nan Sac to reach the summit. A longer southern approach (14km) that avoids the Glenshee Ski Area starts at Spittal of Glenshee (grid reference ) and ascends by the southern ridge. This walk can be combined with the ascent of the Ben Gulabin. The summit of the mountain is marked by a cairn of boulders and a circular wind shelter. Carn a' Gheoidh is the highest ground over an area of several square kilometres and gives a good uninterrupted view of the Cairngorms and the Beinn a' Ghlò massif.