A fairly easy and very picturesque ascent through Corrie Fee leads to the plateau and two Munros, Mayar and Driesh, with the descent on a good path back through Glendoll forest at the head of Glen Clova.
Summary
Good path to back of Corrie Fee, then pathless section over moorland, rough path to Driesh - navigation aided by fence posts, descent on rough path.
Terrain
NO284760
Grid ref
14.5km/9 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. Start from the Glen Doll car park at the head of Glen Clova where there is a ranger information post and toilets (parking charge). The ranger service operates a route card safety system during limited hours - check the times this is available and if walking within those times fill in the card and the rangers will know and be able to take action if you don't return. From the car park follow the sign for Forest Walks and take the track past the farm at Acharn, keeping left when the track forks. Keep straight ahead following the signs for Corrie Fee. Soon Jock's Road, the ancient route to Braemar leaves to the right, stay on the main track running alongside, and soon crossing, the White Water.
2. Keep straight on when a track leaves to the right and soon the path narrows and heads into the woods. The path winds uphill, crossing a small stream, and then reaches the deer fence at the entrance to Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve.
3. From this viewpoint you can see the magnificent bowl shape of the corrie, with the waterfall at the back. Follow the path across the undulating bottom of the corrie, the bumps are mounds of glacial debris left by the retreating glacier that carved out the corrie. The area has a large number of rare plants and it is also a good place to spot golden eagles and other birds of prey. At the back of the corrie the well-made path starts to climb steeply, eventually reaching the waterfall.
4. Once the path emerges onto the plateau follow a faint path heading SSW to climb gently to the summit of Mayar (928m) marked with a small cairn. From the summit head north northeast following a few fence posts for a very short distance and then follow the posts eastwards until the fence corner and tall post is reached at the Kilbo path near the start of the Shank of Drumwhallo which descends into Glen Prosen. Continue straight ahead keeping on the right side of the fence.
5. The route descends slightly to the bealach at the head of Corrie Kilbo; the diagonal line of the descent path can be seen looking back over your left shoulder. Climb the rough slope ahead and continue following the highest ground past a couple of small cairns to the wide summit plateau and the trig point and shelter at the summit of Driesh (947m).
6. To descend, retrace the outward route down to the col and part way up the other side pick up a path to the right, linking to the path down the side of the Shank of Drumfollow. This good path descends to the forestry and follows the fence for a while before going through a deer fence and descending through the forest, crossing the Burn of Kilbo on stepping stones. After skirting a felled area, go straight across a track to continue downhill. At the next track continue ahead on a smaller path and turn right at the bottom. At the next junction turn left to reach Acharn Farm, turn right to follow the track back to the car park.
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