Date of Walk

Sunday 20th May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

9 km, 5.5 miles
150 m, 490 ft
Landranger 44
3.5 hrs

At Crathie we visit the old kirk’s graveyard where John Brown, Queen Victoria’s “loyal servant” is buried. We cross the River Dee to Easter Balmoral, passing close to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Following a visit to the woodland where John Brown’s statue is now situated, there is a short, sharp climb up Creag Lurachain to Albert’s Cairn. This climb is optional but the views are worth it. Our route now follows the Gelder Burn down to Invergelder Farm then along the top drive giving us fine views of Balmoral Castle and the gardens. We exit through the main gates and return to the carpark at Crathie.

Date of Walk

Monday 21st May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

12 km, 7.5 miles
50 m, 150 ft
44
4.5 hours

This is a variation on an old theme taking advantage of a new path on the south side of the River Dee.

We set off on the familiar Deeside Way as far as the footbridge at Cambus o May. This we cross and pick up the excellent new path through the forest, linking the ancient settlements of Torphantrick and Glascorrie. From the latter we follow a lovely woodland walk above the banks of the Dee until we reach the South Deeside road which takes us back to Ballater.

Date of Walk

Tuesday 22nd May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

We start at the Aboyne gliding field carpark and follow a short section of the Deeside Way then farm tracks past Ferrar and Braeroddach farms and on to Balnacraig, passing Braeroddach Loch with its large bird population. From Balnacraig we bear west to Knockenzie (a prize for the correct pronunciation) with a possible detour to the top of Mulloch for its views. We then follow good tracks down to St James’ then onto the Deeside Way again for a short stretch followed by a riverside path to Waterside. Finally we cross the gliding field (remember to duck) and back to our starting point. A mixed route of farmland, birch woods and riverside with a bit of prehistory thrown in.

Date of Walk

Wednesday 23rd May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

9 km, 5.5 miles
80 m, 250 ft
43
4.5 hours

Starting our trip at the carpark at Keiloch we walk westward on a tarmac road for about 1 mile passing Invercauld House, the seat of the Farquharson clan, then on to Altdourie. After this our route takes us past Balnagower Cottage. We now continue on the track which runs parallel to the River Dee with pleasant woodlands on our right and extensive views to the left. We are able to see the River Clunie where it joins the Dee as we make our way to Allanaquoich and onward to the Linn of Quoich and its spectacular Punch Bowl. If we have enough time and energy left we can explore this area a little more.

Date of Walk

Thursday 24th May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

10km, 6 miles
150 m, 500 ft
36
4 hours

A pleasant walk through birch woods and open moor with wonderful views of Lochnagar, visiting one of the late Queen Mother’s favourite spots. We walk from the layby at Inver following the Feardar Burn past Thistle Dae, Balno, Balmore, Ratlich Mill and the ancient settlement of Loin to arrive at the equally ancient one of Auchtavan where the views are spectacular. An old cruck framed house has been restored and this together with the Queen Mother’s house may be open for us to explore before we retrace our steps to Inver.

Date of Walk

Friday 25th May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

12 km, 7.5 miles
70 m, 230 ft
37
5 hours

This route takes advantage of a new footpath/cycleway linking the two villages. From Aboyne we take an estate road through Aboyne Castle grounds then cross the B9094 to join the new path which then recrosses the road and bridges the Tarland Burn. We then follow the track along a woodland edge and cross the burn again, where the path follows it upstream to emerge on a minor road. We visit historic Coull kirkyard and Castle before returning to this quiet road, forking left and turning off right to reach Oldtown. Just beyond here we take a path leading to a view point, descending to Muirton Wood past Alastrean House, once Lord Aberdeen’s home, towards Tarland and our transport.

Date of Walk

Sunday 20th May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

16km, 10 miles
130 m, 420 ft
44
5.5 hours

We leave Ballater and take the Old Line Road, walking parallel to the River Dee until we reach Bridge of Gairn. We cross the A93 and join a footpath which we follow for about 1 km. Now we recross the road and head for the Polhollick Bridge. From here we turn right and eventually reach the South Deeside Road. After a short distance we enter woodland and take a series of tracks giving us extensive panoramic views. We descend towards Birkhall and make for Mill of Sterin. Here we cross the River Muick and wend our way up the ”Cock’s neck”. We join the Glenmuick road following it for about ½ km then pick up another track leading towards Balintober, passing a lovely fishing loch on the way. We will have time to explore the old ruined McKenzie Chapel before returning to our starting place in Ballater.

Date of Walk

Monday 21st May

Date of Walk

Tuesday 22nd May

15 km, 9 miles
400 m, 1300 ft
44
5 hours

A stimulating walk round Loch Muick and over the lower slopes of Lochnagar. We walk from the carpark at Spittal of Muick along the south side of Loch Muick and round to the Glas Allt Shiel, Queen Victoria’s “widow’s house”. Here we start a steep ascent up past the Falls of Glas Allt and on to the high moor below Lochnagar. We contour round Little Pap and Cuidhe Crom until we meet the “tourist path” to Lochnagar, which we descend via Allt na Giubhsaich passing Victoria’s “Hut” en route to the Spittal.

Date of Walk

Wednesday 23rd May

After a look at Towie’s interesting church, we follow a track to Belnaboth farm and cross fields to join another track to the north of Tom Beith, diverting to the Leith monument with views over the Don valley and Ladder Hills. We rejoin the track around Clachcurr, descending to a footbridge across the Don by the A97. Across the main road a forest track ascends around Meall Beag , which we leave, climbing steeply onto moorland to the top of Ben Newe with its holy well. A zigzag path leads down the other side through forest to a minor road north of Altdachie. A short distance up the road, we take a track contouring through forest, dropping down to the A97 at Bellabeg, Strathdon where the walk ends with a look at the Doune of Invernochty (motte).

Date of Walk

Thursday 24th May

This route takes us over a historic drove road and past a haunt of Lord Byron’s. We start from Church Green crossing the Dee and on to Balintober where we join the Pollagach road and follow it to the shoulder of Carn Leuchan. It’s then out onto a heathery and possibly wet “path” over into Glen Tanar at the foot of Mount Keen. From here we follow another track back over the ridge above Etnach towards the Dee, passing Ballaterach where Byron used to spend holidays in his youth. The walk ends at Inchmarnoch.

Date of Walk

Friday 25th May

Our start is at the old schoolhouse of Girnock, following the Girnock Burn southwards past abandoned farms into the heart of Glen Girnock (allegedly the home of 12 illicit stills). We leave the track and ford the stream heading east to the southern slopes of the Coyles of Muick. This we climb to King Edward VII’s marriage cairn, followed by visits to the other two peaks so obvious from Ballater, before descending northwards to emerge on the public road beside Loch Ullachie. Great views are to be had if the weather cooperates.

Date of Walk

Sunday 20th May

Date of Walk

Monday 21st May

A feature of the Cairngorms is the long walk in and those experienced hill goers will know well the track from the Linn o Dee to the Cairngorm massif. This walk uses the track to Derry Lodge before heading west to the Robbers’ Copse. A new project is in place to repair the erosion damage to the path around here, testament to the popularity of the Lairig Ghru route. We will use the Luibeg Bridge before ascending the southeast ridge of Carn a Mhaim. At 1037m it sits at the end of a long thin ridge, an unusual feature in the Cairngorms, and gives excellent views across to Devil’s Point and the vast wild areas of Glen Geusachan with its eagle friendly steep craggy sides. We will return by the same route

Date of Walk

Tuesday 22nd May

Starting from the Spittal of Muick carpark, we climb up Capel Mounth and over into Glen Clova where we turn right and follow the track past Moulzie. We ascend gradually, then a little more steeply up the narrowing gorge to Bachnagairn. After crossing the gorge on a good new bridge, we follow the path up to the shoulder at Sandy Hillock stables. We descend to Loch Muick via the “Streak of Lightning” path and follow the south shore of the loch to the Spittal for our lift back to Ballater. An excellent walk with many opportunities to spot wildlife.

Date of Walk

Wednesday 23rd May

Distance
Ascent
OS Map
Time

Starting from the carpark at Keiloch we take the road to Invercauld House for one mile before turning north up the drove road to Tomintoul. On reaching the River Gairn, we contour the north and east sides of Culardoch to the Stable Burn. Here we bear east, soon reaching Auchtavan, a recently restored cottage with a “hingin lum”. Continuing down the Feardar Glen, our destination at Inver is a welcome sight.

Date of Walk

Thursday 24th May

The Linn of Dee is the starting point for this strenuous walk over rough ground. We head up Glen Lui, crossing the bridge over the the Lui Water and then to Derry Lodge. Our route is northwesterly through the pinewood and across stiles to ascend Carn Crom, avoiding the steep sides of Coire na Saobhaidh, high above the Derry Burn as it meanders down Glen Derry. The route is northerly now to 1040m and then to the high summit of Derry Cairngorm at 1155m, a grand vantage point to view the high tops of the Cairngorms. We will return by the same route.

Date of Walk

Friday 25th May

This fine walk up the Corbett of Brown Cow Hill is steeped in rich Royal Deeside history. We will approach from Blairglass witnessing military roads and old settlements with great views to Morven and Lochnagar. We will proceed to Daldownie and Corndavan Lodge where a good stalkers’ path will take us to the summit. From here we follow a high level traverse east towards Camock Hill and return by the “Ca” road to Tullochmacarrick, then to Braenaloin and our carriages.