The ascent from Glen Esk via Glen Mark is the shortest route up Mount Keen. The most easterly of the Munros is a dome rising above vast swathes of empty, bleak moorland, with extensive views on a good day.
Summary
Track and good hillpath, but very exposed in bad weather.
Terrain
NO446803
Grid ref
17.5km/10.75 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'
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Public transport
1. From the car park at Invermark, follow the road over the bridge and past the church on the right. Take the next right signed for Mount Keen and the Queen's Well and just before the house bear left following another sign and go through a gate to follow a track. The track leads out into the open glen, the sandstone tower of Invermark castle can be seen through the trees on the left. Built as a garrison fort by the local landowner it's function was to provide protection from Aberdeenshire cattle raiders who would use the traditional routes through the glens.
2. The track soon reaches an old metal gate, go through this and continue up the glen. The glen is a popular place to spot red deer especially during the annual rut in October. Eventually the granite arches of the Queen's Well come into view ahead. This was built over the site of a spring where Queen Victoria stopped on one of her pony treks in the Angus glens. Branch off onto a narrower path on the right to reach the well.
3. The path regains the track just to the left of Invermark Cottage. Turn right and follow the track. There is no bridge over the Easter Burn; in dry conditions it is usually possible to cross on stepping stones but after heavy rains things could become more difficult. Just beyond, the track next crosses the Ladder Burn via an iron grid. Continue along the rough track as it heads up the Ladder Glen; higher up it begins to climb away from the burn and a zig-zig leads up onto the moorlands above.
4. There are excellent views back down towards Glen Esk. Continue on the track and then the path which heads north up the moors. At a fork, keep right; the left branch was the original route of the Mounth Road but these days the path over Mount Keen itself is the busier. From here to the summit the path had become very eroded but it has been greatly repaired in recent years.
Photo: iaing
5. The bouldery summit cone of Mount Keen is topped by a trig point at 939 metres. This is the most easterly of the Munros, but the surrounding landscape is one of vast, sweeping moorland rather than mountains. Lochnagar to the west gives a glimpse of more craggy terrain. If returning to Glen Esk the usual way back is to retrace your steps. If transport permits it is possible instead to continue north, finally finishing in Glen Tanar to make a fine traverse. The downside is that Glen Tanar is many miles from Invermark by public road.
Photo: iaing
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