River Dee and Cambus o' May circuit, Ballater

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This enjoyable waymarked circuit heads down Deeside to explore the strath to the east of Ballater. The highlight of the walk is the beautiful suspension footbridge at Camus o'May.

Terrain

Waymarked footpaths throughout. Uneven in places and undulating on outward route; good cyclepath for the return leg.

Public Transport

Ballater is well served by buses running between Braemar and Aberdeen.

Start

Ballater Tourist Information / Old Railway station. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is parking in the centre of Ballater, at the site of the restored railway station. From here, begin by turning left on the main A93, following it through the centre of the town's green and past the shops. Keep straight on onto the South Deeside road and cross the bridge over the River Dee. At the t-junction beyond leave the road and take the path opposite into the woods. Keep on the left fork of the path and when it climbs to meet a broader track/path, turn left. After 500m the walk passes Dalrachney Camp - a base for lumberjacks who came over from Newfoundland during the second world war to fell trees to aid the war effort.

Stage 2

Past the camp the track soon slopes downhill and rejoins the road; turn right along it. There are good views over towards the River Dee on this section. After around 500m leave the road through a signed gate on the left and continue on a track which leads through attractive birch woodland by the river. Eventually the track bends left and a marker post indicates our route on a grassy path heading straight ahead. An open area is crossed before the route bends left into the trees once more. Go through a gate and head straight across a pasture to a second gate.

Stage 3

The route continues between the field fence and the adjacent woodland, before a newly surfaced path leads on through the trees, with the birches slowly giving way to stately Scots pines. When the path reaches a track, bear right along it for a distance before the path again diverges off to the left. Go straight ahead when another track is reached, soon passing piles of stones which are the scant remains of the settlement of Torphantrick.

Stage 4

After passing through a gate the path reaches Cambus o'May suspension bridge. The bridge was built in 1905 to give pedestrian access to the railway on the north side, and reopened in 2021 after being badly damaged by Storm Frank several years previously. The span of the central section is just over 50 metres. Cross the bridge and turn left on the far side of the Dee. The route leads past the front of an idyllically-situated house overlooking the river, before forking right to begin the walk back to Ballater along the route of the old Deeside railway line. Now part of the Deeside Way, the line runs parallel to the A93 at first, passing an attractive wooden fishing hut at one point.

Stage 5

After around 2km a gate and sign indicate an optional detour on the left to visit the Needle, a monument to local landowner William Farquharson erected by his widow. The obelisk sits atop a wooded hilltop and can be visited following markers along a rough path. Return to the old railway line to continue the walk back towards Ballater; there are views to distinct Lochnagar. Go straight across at a junction with a track.

Stage 6

Keep an eye out for cyclists as this section of the route is very popular for bikes. The old line leads on straight and is overhung by the trees along each side. When the route meets the A93 cross carefully and continue on the far side. The route eventually leads back into Ballater, emerging as you might expect at the old rail station and the start of the walk.

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River Dee and Cambus o' May circuit, Ballater

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Terrain

Public Transport

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