Brown Cow Hill circuit, Cock Bridge

Brown Cow Hill is the highest summit of a sprawling area of rounded heather moorland. This route forms a horseshoe of the higher summits, with boggy ground and peat hags breaking up sections of easier going across short-cropped heather. Though unspectacular, the route gives good views and a chance to experience solitude.

Terrain

Landrover tracks, faint moorland paths and some pathless heather. There are several boggy sections of peat-hagged ground.

Public Transport

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Start

Car park for Corgarff Castle. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18km/11.25 miles
Time: 5.5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 575m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ254089

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Brown Cow Hill

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Explorer 404 - Braemar
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a dedicated car park for Corgarff Castle which is signed from the main road by Cock Bridge. The castle was built in the sixteenth century and abandoned at the end of the seventeenth. Later it was used as a barracks by soldiers until 1831; it was during this period that the star-shaped perimeter wall was added. The castle is now open to the public and run by Historic Scotland. Begin the walk by following the track that leads up from the parking area towards the castle. The track bends left and then back right; before reaching the castle go through a gate into the field on the right, and then turn left to continue up the field parallel to the track. Pass round the back of the castle and head through another gate opposite the back wall. From here a path heads just slight east of south, soon descending to join the track from Cockbridge Farm.

Stage 2

Turn right along the track and follow this up the glen. As the track nears a plantation keep on the main route, ignoring a fork off to the right. The track then climbs up towards the bealach between Carn Oighreag and the main bulk of Brown Cow Hill. When the track swings right to ascend the former, leave it and follow a faint path up towards the 823m east top of Brown Cow Hill. The path soon becomes lost in boggy ground before better going is reached, but is soon lost once more amid a mass of peat hags. Further up the going improves and a tiny cairn marking the 823m top is reached. The views lack depth but are extensive, with Morven prominent to the east, and Mount Keen and Lochnagar further right.

Stage 3

The most distinctive hill in view, however, is Ben Avon to the west, topped by its dramatic granite tors. Head in this direction - after another area of peat hags a decent path is picked up. Watch out for dotterel which can be plentiful in this area. The cairn marking the true 829m summit of Brown Cow Hill - a Corbett - is just off the path to the left. From here the quickest return is to retrace your steps, but if time permits it is worth continuing the moorland walk to make a circuit.

Stage 4

Continue to the west top; the path is then left for a descent to a soggy bealach and a climb up to Meikle Geal Charn. Alone on this round, this hill has a crown of stones to break up the heather - a perfect quarry for the cairn. There are views towards lonely Loch Builg and the upper reaches of the River Avon. Descend and head to Little Geal Charn, and then head northwards to point 709m.

Stage 5

Head northeast for the final summit - Carn Cuchulvie. From here head east at first along a broad ridge, then descend northeast aiming towards a reservoir on the Allt Veannaich. The forestry shown blocking the descent on Ordnance Survey maps does not exist, and there is a faint path that leads down to the track in the glen.

Stage 6

Turn left past the reservoir and then - at a cross tracks just short of a locked estate bothy - turn right. The track soon crosses a bridge over the river and approaches a more substantial estate building. Take the track on the right that becomes a tarred road here; it leads past several more buildings and continues down the glen to emerge at the car park for Corgarff Castle.

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Route Profile

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.