Ballater and Balmoral
In the middle reaches of Deeside, the high mountains are set back behind rolling foothills clad luxuriantly in Scots pine, and the mighty river sweeps past Balmoral Castle en route to Ballater. The small town itself ranks amongst the most attractive in the Highlands, packed into a grid pattern and centred on a large green - a popular tourist destination even before Queen Victoria ensured its fame.
As well as the pinewoods there are stunning lochs. Amongst them is Loch Muick, stern and majestic, whilst Loch Kinord is more intimate, fringed by the beautiful birchwoods of the Muir of Dinnet. To the south is the Mounth, a range of plateaux almost as extensive as the Cairngorms themselves, all presided over by the grand peak of Lochnagar.
Accommodation
| Walk | Grade | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Tanar riverside circuit |
|
4.75km | 2 hours |
| Loch Kinord circuit, Muir of Dinnet |
|
6km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Glen Tanar pinewoods, near Aboyne |
|
8km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Seven Bridges and Knock Castle, Ballater |
|
10.5km | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Cambus o'May circuit from Ballater |
|
12.75km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Craigendarroch oakwoods, Ballater |
|
4km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Pannanich Woods and Craig Coillich, Ballater |
|
5km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Burn O' Vat and the Culblean circuit |
|
6.5km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| The Balmoral Cairns, Balmoral, Crathie |
|
9.75km | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Loch Muick Circuit |
|
12.5km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Sgor Buidhe circuit, Ballater |
|
11.5km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Conachcraig and Gelder Shiel, from Balmoral |
|
22.25km | 6 - 7 hours |
| Mount Keen by Glen Tanar |
|
27km | 7 - 9 hours |
| Lochnagar from Glen Muick |
|
19km | 7 - 8 hours |
| White Mounth Munros, Glen Muick |
|
29km | 9 - 11 hours |
Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.