Ballater Walking Festival 16th to 22nd May 2020
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Ballater Walking Festival 16th to 22nd May 2020 .
Essential Information If in doubt about anything, email jenny@walkballater.com
Walks Grading Each day, there are three or four categories of walk; Strenuous, Medium, Easy
and Special Interest. A professional guide will lead the high-level Strenuous ones. Other walks will be
led by experienced walkers with knowledge of Royal Deeside or rangers from Muir of Dinnet NNR,
Aberdeenshire Council and Balmoral with expertise in flora, fauna and local history. Before making a
choice, please read each walk description and the walk gradings listed below.
• Strenuous These may include some of the following; significant ascent and descent of a
Munro or two, considerable length in a remote area, crossing burns, easy scrambling, exposure
to drops and perhaps at a brisk pace. These walks are for experienced hillwalkers with an above
average level of fitness and stamina. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Walkers unsure of their ability should contact the organisers in advance.
• Medium Normally around nine to twelve miles, these walks are for participants who
have a good level of fitness and experience of walking longer distances. There may be significant
overall ascent, including a hill and other demanding aspects such as bog, thick heather, and varied
surfaces including open hillside in a remote area.
• Easy Taken at a fairly relaxed pace and usually under seven miles, there will be
minimum gradients. For anyone who does not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem
or is seriously unfit. An easy walk will be mainly on good paths and tracks with no sustained, very
steep slopes or significant stretches of slippery or uneven surfaces. There may be a stile to cross.
• Special Interest Led by a ranger or someone with a specific interest, these walks of about five
to six miles will be at an easy pace to allow plenty of time to look and learn about many things
including wildlife, conservation, flowers, history, geology and archaeology.
Equipment In Upper Deeside and the Eastern Cairngorms, the weather and ground
conditions can be challenging, particularly on high-level walks. An ill-equipped walker can pose a
threat to their own safety and to the group as a whole. Being suitably equipped is essential. Looking
back over the years of the Ballater Walking Festival, we have had snow on high level walks and also
some very hot weather; both extremes pose a different set of potential problems. Everyone should
be aware of the weather forecast and prepare accordingly. On a hill or a remote area, conditions can
be significantly cooler, wetter and windier than in Ballater and can change very quickly. Always carry
plenty of water. If a sunny day is forecast, include a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and extra water.
• For Easy walks we recommend sturdy, ankle-supporting footwear, warm clothing, warm hat,
gloves, waterproof jacket and over trousers, a rucksack to carry adequate food and drink for the
length of the walk, a spare layer of clothing, and any personal medication that might be needed.
• For Medium and Strenuous walks, we ask walkers to ensure they have all of the things needed
for an Easy walk plus full hillwalking gear: Boots, warm clothing, quick drying trousers (not denim
jeans), waterproof jacket and over trousers, rucksack, warm hat, gloves, spare fleece, packed
lunch, spare food and drink, small personal first aid kit including any medications and perhaps a
mobile phone, walking poles, gaiters and a sun hat.
Sunday 17th May Strenuous Walk 1: East Glenshee Munros Distance 19km/12mls Ascent 1020m/3350ft Walking time approx 8 hrs Map Landranger 43/44 Departure 7 am Start NO 145 806 Finish NO 145 806 4 Munros – Carn an Tuirc 1018m. Cairn of Claise 1062m. Tolmount 958m. Tom Buidhe 957m. A climb, steep and rocky in places, takes us to the summit of Carn an Turic, which is a fine viewpoint. From here we pick up a good track across a hill to reach Cairn of Claise. We leave the summit heading in a direct line across the peat hags for Tolmount, which affords impressive views down to Glen Callater. From here, Tom Buidhe is only a short distance away. We return over moorland terrain around the ridge around Garbh-choire down to Sron na Gaoithe and a final steep descent back towards the glen. Terrain: Intermittent hill paths connect the Munro summits with a mixture of heather, grass, boulders and peat hags. Medium Walk 2: Carn na Drochaide Distance 11km/7mls Ascent 590m/1965ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 9 am Start NO 116 908 Finish NO 116 908 From the Linn of Quoich, we will follow the path leading up past the Punch Bowl and into the picturesque Glen Quoich. There follows a climb on rough ground up Carn na Criche and on to the summit of Carn na Drochaide. We will return via Allanaquoich back to the Punch Bowl. This walk offers stunning views of the River Dee and the area north of Braemar. Easy Walk 3: Braemar and the Queen’s Drive Distance 10km/6mls Ascent 100m/430ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 10 am Start NO 152 913 Finish NO 152 913 Starting in the centre of Braemar, we will visit the ruins of Kildrochit Castle before heading past the refurbished Fife Arms to the Duke of Rothesay Pavilion and the Games Park. From there we will go up to the duck pond before walking down to the River Clunie and over the Society Bridge to join the Queen’s Drive. Continuing past the Lion’s Face, we will return to Braemar via the Castle.
Monday 18th May Strenuous Walk 4: Loch Avon and Loch Etchachan - Ski Centre to Linn of Dee Distance 25km/15mls Ascent 850m/2789ft Walking time approx 9 hrs Map Landranger36/43 Departure 7am Start NH 989 059 Finish NO 062 898 Loch Avon and Loch Etchachan are in the very heart of the Cairngorms. This route involves steep ascents and descents in wild, remote country. The highlight is passing through the magnificent Loch Avon basin. We start at Cairngorm Ski Centre and climb to a height of 1141m before descending into Coire Raibeirt. The inflow into the Loch may involve wet feet where we seek out the Shelter Stone before climbing once more to Loch Etchachan. We then enjoy a beautiful return to the Linn of Dee through the Glen Derry pinewoods. Terrain: A testing mountain walk, not to be underestimated, passing through very remote country, lacking clear paths, far from help. Strong fitness and ability to cope with rough steep ground is necessary. Medium Walk 5: The Coyles of Glenmuick Distance 15km/9.3mls Ascent 500m/1640ft Walking time approx 6.5 hrs Map Landranger 44 Departure 9 am Start NO 340 951 Finish NO 340 951 This walk starts by the secluded Loch Ullachie and goes up all 3 Coyles – Meall Dubh, the Coyles of Muick and finally the Craig of Loinmuie. We will visit the newly rebuilt cairn erected to celebrate the marriage of Edward 7th and, from here, there are stunning views of Loch Muick, Glen Muick and the Balmoral Estate. We then meander back down through the Alltcailleach Forest where we will visit the old township of Loinmuie. We finish back at Loch Ullachie where we started with Birkhall to the east. Easy Walk 6: Along the River Gairn to Ballater Distance 10km/6mls Ascent 100m/330ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 37 Departure 10 am Start NJ 316 004 Finish NO 370 959 From the foot bridge over the River Gairn, we start the linear walk back to Ballater. The first part is through the Long Haugh, a peaceful riverside meadow with historical associations. We pass through the hamlets of Balno, Inverenzie, Lary and Abergairn, with a detour to the ruins of Abergairn Castle. We return to Ballater through the Hilton Grand Vacations Resort at Craigendarroch and along the Deeside Way.
Tuesday 19th May Strenuous Walk 7: Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch - 2 Lochs, 2 Munros Distance 24km/15mls Ascent 870m/2854ft Walking time approx 8 hrs Map Landranger43/44 Departure 8 am Start NO 309 851 Finish NO 309 851 Whilst the nearby cliffs of Lochnagar are famed and celebrated, the magnificent beetling black precipice of Creag an Dubh-loch is much less known. On this fine hill walk, we will visit this great crag and its lonely loch before ascending Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn to make a return to Loch Muick, taking the south bank path back to the Spittal of Glenmuick. Medium Walk 8: Glen Feardar Distance 16km/10mls Ascent 450m/1480ft Walking time approx 6 hrs Map Landranger 44 Departure 9 am Start NO 234 938 Finish NO 188 914 We start this linear walk going through birch woods and open moors with wonderful views of Lochnagar, visiting the late Queen Mother’s picnic house and a restored cruck framed cottage at Auchtavan, an 18th-19th century fermtoun. We then continue on, ascending through Glen Feardar, the Glen of High Water. We cross a stream at a ford and head back south through the Invercauld Forest with Craig Leek to the east. Our destination is the car park at Keiloch. Easy Walk 9a: The Tarland Way Distance 11km/7mls Ascent 150m/490ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 37 Departure 10 am Start NJ 529 986 Finish NJ 481 043 From Aboyne, we will walk through the wrought iron gates towards Aboyne Castle, then head westward along an avenue of trees. A short detour from the track, we will visit a stone circle. The Way then winds up and down through forest. From the road bridge at Coull we will walk along the southside of the Tarland Burn. Before reaching Tarland, we will turn south and visit the recumbent stone circle with wonderful all round views and finish in the village square. Easy Special Interest Walk 9b: Heritage /Archaeology Tarland Distance 12km/7.5mls Ascent 330m/1080ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 37 Departure 10 am Start NJ 481 043 Finish NJ 481 043 We will travel back in time around Tarland on a circular walk from the village square, taking a trip back over 4,000 years ago to Tomnaverie stone circle, built by Bronze Age farmers. We will visit Culsh earth house, an Iron Age underground storage chamber and follow an old drove road up to the slopes of Pittenderich, to take in the view over the Howe of Cromar and beyond. The route we take descends through moorland and woodland, passing Douneside House to return to Tarland. (Moderate ascent and short steeper section, mostly on grass / gravel paths).
Wednesday 20th May
4pm Festival Gathering at Crathie Church Hall, 2 course meal and more!
Strenuous Walk 10: Spittal of Glen Muick to Crathie via Conachraig
Distance 16km/10mls Ascent 500m/1640ft
Walking time approx 6.5 hrs Map Landranger 44
Departure 9 am Start NO 310 852 Finish NO 269 948
From the Spittal, we cross the River Muick and head up to Alt-na-guibhsaich and Clais Rathadan
where we will get stunning views of Lochnagar. Leaving the track, we’ll climb up the rounded top
of Conachcraig. A very short descent and ascent leads to Caisteal na Caillich before we head down
to the landrover track via Little Conachcraig to Crathie Church Hall.
Medium Walk 11: Balmoral and the Colonel in Chief’s Trail
Distance 15km/9.5mls Ascent 320m/1050ft
Walking time approx 5.5 hrs Map Landranger 44
Departure 10am Start NO 286 951 Finish NO 269 948
From Abergeldie, we will follow a quiet road to the Lochnagar Distillery and Easter Balmoral. After
Rhebreck, we will pass several Royal cairns before heading down to the estate road. Further on,
we reach The Colonel in Chief’s Trail meandering uphill and down. After crossing the River Gelder,
from the Lochnagar track, we will go up over Creag an Lurachain with Prince Albert’s Cairn atop
before finishing at Crathie Church Hall
Easy Walk 12a: Balnacroft and the Genechal
Distance 10km/6 mls Ascent 160m/520ft
Walking time approx 4.5 hrs Map Landranger 44
Departure 11 am Start NO 264 949 Finish NO 269 948
We will start by walking from the car park to the Distillery and then along a back road to
Balnacroft. Following a woodland track, we will make a detour to The Genechal, now a derelict
cottage associated with Queen Victoria. Before we emerge onto open hillside, there is a stile to
cross. The downhill route offers amazing vistas of Balmoral and the Eastern Cairngorms. We will
retrace our steps from the distillery, back over the White Bridge to finish at Crathie Village Hall.
Easy Special Interest Walk 12b: Around Crathie
Distance 5km/3mls Ascent minimal
Walking time approx 2 hrs Map Landranger 44
Departure 1.25 pm Start NO 264 949 Finish NO 269 948
Meet at the Hut on the Green in plenty of time to catch the Braemar service bus at 1.37pm
alighting at Crathie. The walk will be at an easy pace on tracks around Crathie and include a tour
of the Kirk which the Royal Family attend when they are resident at Balmoral and the cemetery
where Queen Victoria’s servant John Brown is buried. We will finish at Crathie Village Hall.Thursday 21st May Strenuous Walk 13: Ben Macdui 1309m and Derry Cairngorm 1155m Distance 29km/18mls Ascent 1070m/3510ft Walking time approx 11 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 7 am Start NO 062 898 Finish NO 062 898 Ben Macdui is Britain’s second highest peak, situated in the centre of the Cairngorm plateau. We approach from Deeside amongst the ancient pines of Glen Derry reaching Derry Lodge and the Luibeg burn. We climb Sron Riach and skirt the tremendous cliffs above Lochan Uaine. The return journey takes us over rocky Derry Cairngorm before retracing our steps back to the Linn of Dee. Medium Walk 14: The Maim, Geallaig Hill and Carn Dearg Distance 12.5km/8mls Ascent 320m/1050ft Walking time approx 6 hrs Map Landranger 44 Departure 9 am Start NO 266 987 Finish NJ 336 002 With not a great deal of ascent, the views from this walk are spectacular. Starting from the highest point on the Old Military Road, we head up a track to the top of The Maim with amazing views over Balmoral and west up the Dee Valley. Retracing our steps, we then follow a great high-level track across the top of Geallaig Hill, Creag na Creiche and Carn Dearg. Once down into the glen, we will cross a footbridge over the River Gairn and walk through Balno and Inverenzie to finish the walk at Lary. Easy Special Interest Walk 15: Muir of Dinnet Distance 8km/5mls Ascent 20m/65ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 37 Departure 10 am Start NO 429 997 Finish NO 429 997 The Scottish Natural Heritage Ranger will lead us through the Burn o’ Vat trail on to Parkin’s Moss, then to Loch Kinord and Little Ord. This rough circular walk is steeped in history and archaeology, especially along the little Ord trail.
Friday 22nd May Strenuous Walk 16: Culardoch and Carn Liath from Keiloch Distance 24km/15mls Ascent 850m/2790ft Walking time approx 8.5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 8 am Start NO 188 912 Finish NO 118 912 These two rounded Corbetts on the eastern side of the Cairngorms are easily climbed together. Culardoch offers extensive views across much of Aberdeenshire, whereas Carn Liath provides a superb vantage point for admiring the granite tors of nearby Ben Avon. Leaving Keiloch on good tracks, we climb to the top of the Bealach Dearg, which is the high point on the old drove road between Invercauld and Tomintoul. Further ascent takes us to Culardoch, then a heathery traverse to Carn Liath before a pleasant descent back to the tracks of Invercauld. This route may be boggy in places. Medium Walk 17: Craig Vallich and Pannanich Hill Distance 18km/11mls Ascent 430m/1420ft Walking time approx 6 hrs Map Landranger 44 Departure 9 am Start NO 370 958 Finish NO 370 958 Leaving Ballater by the Royal Bridge, we take the new woodland path skirting Glenmuick House to the Bridge of Muick. From there, we follow the track known as Pollagach Road for a steepish climb up to Craig Vallich. We then continue to Pannanich Hill before descending into the forest, passing the old curling ponds and emerging back at the Royal Bridge. Easy Walk 18: Mar Lodge to Keiloch Distance 11km/7mls Ascent minimal Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 10 am Start NO 102 895 Finish NO 188 914 From the Victoria Bridge, we cross the River Dee and walk towards Mar Lodge, built for Princess Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. We will join the minor road to the Linn of Quoich and cross the new bridge which reopened at the end of 2019. During the floods of 2016, the river changed its course leaving the old one very badly damaged and leading to nowhere. From here, we continue on a good track through the Invercauld Estate and woodlands to finish at Keiloch. .
Cambus O’May Suspension Bridge
damaged in Storm Frank
Cambus O’May bridge is a cherished feature on a beautiful part of the River Dee,
between Ballater and Dinnet, and forms part of the Cairngorm National Park Core Path
Network. It was devastatingly damaged by Storm Frank and we (BRD) are raising
funds to reopen this iconic bridge, much loved by the local community and walkers
alike. We hope to raise £150,000 and any donation you feel able to make would be
much appreciated. This can be made directly on the booking form.You can also read
