Cairngorm Lodges

Burn O' Vat and the Culblean circuit, near Dinnet [4 miles/6.5 km - 1.5 to 2 hours] Burn O' Vat and the Culblean circuit, near Cairngorm Lodges, is a great circular walk which includes the Vat - a deep water gouged bowl waiting to be explored. Leading though open countryside and picturesque pinewoods it will take around four hours to complete. This circular walk takes in the impressive geological feature known as the Vat, a deep, water gouged bowl that you can enter, and then rises through pleasant pinewoods and more open countryside to make a good circuit through the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Burn O' Vat and the Culblean circuit route description.

Loch Kinord circuit, Muir of Dinnet [3.75 miles/6km - 1.5 to 2 hours] This waymarked trail makes a beautiful circuit around Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. The walk is excellent for both bird-watchers and wildlife spotters, both on the loch and in the surrounding birch woodland. Loch Kinord circuit route description.

Bellabeg forest walk, Strathdon [1.75 miles/3km - 1 hour] A pleasant climb through forestry with good views over a felled area to look down on Donside and later the village of Bellabeg. Bellabeg forest route description.

Meall Beag, Donside [2 miles/3.25 km - 1 hour] A short forestry walk on grassy paths and tracks with some steep climbs and good views over the rolling countryside of Strathdon. Full route description. Ben Newe, Strathdon [2.25 miles/3.75 km - 2 hours] This enjoyable circuit climbs up through the Ben Newe forestry plantations before visiting the rocky summit – a superb viewpoint. Meall Beag route description.

Ben Newe, Strathdon [2.25 miles/3.75 km - 2 hours] This enjoyable circuit climbs up through the Ben Newe forestry plantations before visiting the rocky summit – a superb viewpoint. Ben Newe route description.

Craigendarroch Oakwoods, Ballater [2.5 miles/4 km - 1.5 to 2 hours] Craigdendarroch may be a small hill, but it has a big place in the affections of Ballater folk. Its oakwood-clad flanks are steep making its ascent an enjoyable but arduous little walk. The views are superb. Craigendarroch Oakwoods route description.

Pannanich Woods and Craig Coillich, Ballater [3 miles/5 km - 1.5 to 2 hours] The climb through Pannanich woods to the viewpoint of Craig Coillich offers a steep hike with good views at the top and a winding woodland descent back to Ballater. Whilst not such a pretty walk as Craigdendarroch, the woods are home to capercaille and red squirrels, and on a clear day the excellent viewpoint makes the climb worthwhile. Pannanich Woods and Craig Coillich route description.

Glen Tanar riverside circuit [2.75 miles/4.5 km - 2 hours] This delightful walk on the Glen Tanar estate combines forestry and farmland with a long, pretty riverside section. The walk is well waymarked and can be combined with the visitor centre which has more information on the wildlife to be found on the estate. Glen Tanar riverside circuit route description.

Linn of Quoich circuit, Braemar [2.75 miles/4.5 km - 1.5 to 2 hours] Water rushes through the narrow Linn of Quoich making a picturesque stopping point on this short walk. Queen Victoria was fond of this place and it became a popular attraction, nowadays it is much quieter than the nearby Linn of Dee. Linn of Quoich route description.

Morrone Birkwood, Braemar [2.75 miles/4.5 km - 1.5 to 2 hours] Morrone birkwood (birk is Scots for birch) is a National Nature Reserve, one of the finest examples of 'downy' birchwoods in the UK and with vast areas of juniper. This fine circuit explores the nature reserve and has some wonderful views. Morrone Birkwood route description.

Lochnagar [11.7 miles/19 km – 7-8 miles] provides majestic scenery across the Royal Balmoral Estate and its commanding position cannot be missed as it broods over Loch Muick at a height of 1154 metres. Near Ballater, the route to Lochnagar begins with a walk past Loch Muick where there is a small visitor’s centre. Lochnagar route description.

Loch Muick Circuit [7.75 miles/12.5km - 3 to 3.5 hours] If the eight hour walk up Lochnagar seems too strenuous – or if the weather is not fit - why not enjoy a more leisurely walk around the loch itself which has many variations and can be made longer or shorter to suit walkers of all abilities. This fairly level circuit of grand Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate provides good views of the surrounding hills and pleasant stopping places. The walk takes in the impressive Glas-allt Shiel house built by Queen Victoria from where there is an optional detour to see some waterfalls. Loch Muick route description.

Morven, near Cairngorm Lodges. [5.25miles/ 8.5km – 3.5-5 hours] This hill lies just below munro height at 872 m. It is on the eastern fringe of the Cairngorms. Morven dominates the Aberdeenshire farmland of Cromar lying to its east. It provides a popular ascent with extensive views. Morven route description.

Mount Keen [16.75 miles/ 27 km - 7-9 hours 795 metres] is a long but straightforward climb and good for the beginner munro bagger. Set within in Glen Tanar Estate, the most easterly munro in Scotland is also great for cyclists. The round trip to the summit is a great way to climb your first Munro and take in the wonderful scenery. Mount Keen route description.

Glenbuchat ridge, near Strathdon. [8 miles/13 km - 3 to 4 hours] The atmospheric ruins of Glenbuchat Castle provide the starting point for a walk along the ridge above the glen, right on the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park. There are good views across this quiet landscape. Glenbuchat ridge route description.

Clais Fhearnaig circuit, Braemar [9.5 miles/15.5 km - 3.5 to 4.5 hours] This circular walk starts by visiting the impressive Linn of Quoich, then heads up the hidden Glen Quoich before crossing the Clais Fhearnaig pass to descend into Glen Lui and the walk down the Glen and back along the road to the starting point. Clais Fhearnaig route description..

Royal Cairns Walk [6 miles/9.75km - 2.5 hours] A circular walk with moderate ascents, which takes in 8 Royal cairns commemorating various royal marriages, the purchase of Balmoral and the memorial cairn to Albert. [It is respectfully requested that this walk is not undertaken when the royal family are in residence August & September] Royal Cairns route description.

Around Craig Leek, near Braemar [5.25 miles/8.5 km - 2 to 2.5 hours] This pleasant waymarked walk makes a circuit around the prominent little hill of Craig Leek, on Invercauld Estate. There are excellent views up and down Deeside. Around Craig Leek route description.

Glen Tanar pinewoods, near Aboyne [5 miles/8km - 2 to 2.5 hours] This easy, waymarked circuit explores part of Glen Tanar, clothed with the largest remnant of Caledonian Scots pinewoods on the south side of the Cairngorms. Watch out for wildlife such as red squirrels, crested tits, cross-bills - and if you are very lucky - Capercaillie. Glen Tanar pinewoods route description.

Seven Bridges and Knock Castle, Ballater [6.5 miles/10.5 km - 2.5 to 3 hours] A waymarked circular walk that explores some of the fine countryside around the town of Ballater. The route described includes an optional detour to the ruins of a sixteenth century tower house. Seven Bridges and Knock Castle route description.

The Lion's Face and the Cromlins, Braemar [3.25 miles/5.5 km - 2 to 3 hours] This excellent circuit through the pinewoods and fields has some superb views and much of interest, including the opportunity to visit Braemar Castle. Check opening. The Lion's Face and the Cromlins route description.

Derry Lodge and the Linn of Dee, Braemar [6.75 miles/11 km - 2.5 to 3.5 hours] This walk from the Linn of Dee follows Glen Lui as far as Derry Lodge, an imposing but disused shooting lodge in a beautiful pinewood with great views of the Cairngorm mountains. A walk with open vistas and a wilderness feel yet with the ease and safety of a clear vehicle track to follow. Derry Lodge and the Linn of Dee route description.

Loch Callater near Braemar [7 miles/11.5 km - 3 to 3.5 hours] This walk, from just south of Braemar, follows a good track to Callater Loch, a high loch, hemmed in by mountains and with good views. It is possible to lengthen the walk by going round the loch and wading the inflow river which makes a pleasant but more demanding circuit. Loch Callater route description.