The western half of Royal Deeside lies within the newly created Cairgorms National Park and contains many of Scotlands highest mountains and scores of other challenges to the more serious walker. Here is some of Britain's most dramatic and beautiful scenery waiting to be explored. But, unlike wonderful places in England, there is space and a sense of having the world to oneself. There is much to attract the less serious walker for there are many trails through beautiful scenery abundant with wildlife.

Many of the paths are superbly maintained by The Upper Deeside Access Trust (UDAT) or the Forestry Commission. Both Balmoral and Mar Lodge estates provide numerous guided walks.Two festivals, Ballater Walking Festival and ActiveAboyne offer the opportunity to partake in walks of varying difficulty. Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service also offers numerous guided walks.

For those who like to organise their own walks we provide a set of ten easy walks and ten harder walks to whet the appetitite.