Conachcraig and Gelder Shiel, from Balmoral

Conachcraig can be easily climbed as a detour from the normal route up Lochnagar. This longer approach from the north, however, enables a better appreciation of this Corbett in its own right; the bothy at Gelder Shiel can be visited en route and there are superb views of Lochnagar throughout. Access to the first part of this walk may be restricted when the Royal Family are in residence at Balmoral.

Terrain

Good landrover tracks for approach; optional route via bothy has rough, boggy path. Hill path on ascent of Conachcraig; pathless heather descent.

Public Transport

Bus to Balmoral car park

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Start

Car park at Crathie (charge). Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 22.25km/13.75 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 679m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO262949

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Conachcraig

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 388 - Lochnagar
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the Pay and Display car park at Crathie and follow the road over the bridge (built by Brunel) and past the entrance to Balmoral Castle. Follow the road left from the castle entrance, past the golf course, and turn right when signed for the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. Turn right at the first bend to the estate houses at Easter Balmoral; turn left here and follow the road uphill past a number of picturesque cottages. The track passes a security checkpoint and you may not be able to pass if the Royals are in residence; otherwise, continue through a gate and into the forest. After another 0.5km turn left at a junction of tracks.

Stage 2

The track climbs through the trees - ignore a path off to the left that leads up to Prince Albert's Cairn and instead continue ahead, soon leaving the forest behind. A grand view of Lochnagar opens up ahead, looking magnificent; it remains in view for almost the entire walk. After just under 2.5km from the edge of the forest the track forks. The most direct route is the left fork, but the route we describe visits Gelder Shiel on the way, so stay on the main track as it swings right. At another fork keep left and continue until the sheltering trees are reached at Gelder Shiel. There are two buildings here - the cottage is used by the Royals but the stable behind is an open bothy, maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association. It is not always available - so check on the MBA website, leave a report on the condition of the bothy and if you can help keep the bothy clean by carrying out any litter you find here.

Stage 3

The track crosses the river immediately after Gelder Shiel but the walk remains on the east bank, following a narrow path which is overgrown with heather and boggy in places. It remains by the river for 1.5km before curving left to climb over the moorland to reach a landrover track - turn right along this. The track crosses the moorland to the west of Conachcraig - follow if for a further 3km to near its highest point, where a clear path (marked by a very small cairn) cuts off left to climb up onto Conachcraig, almost opposite the standard path to Lochnagar.

Stage 4

The path climbs directly up the slope of heather and boulders to reach the small cairned tor that marks the summit of Conachcraig, at 865m. Despite the modest height, this is a superb viewpoint; Lochnagar is simply magnificent, but Beinn a'Bhuird is well seen across Deeside, and the view into Aberdeenshire extends into the far distance. Continue northeast towards the central, 850m summit.

Stage 5

A narrow path passes just to the left side of point 850m and then continues north to the rocky top of Caisteal na Caillich. From here begin the descent down pathless slopes of heather and scattered boulders to the northwest, with grand views ahead across Deeside. Soon the landrover track is regained; turn right to begin the walk back.

Stage 6

The return is straightforward - simply stay on the landrover track, ignoring the path used earlier. After several kilometres the track reaches a t-junction (with the outward route to Gelder Shiel on the left) - keep right to follow the main track back to the forest behind Balmoral. At the junction in the woods turn right and follow the track back to Easter Balmoral and the start of the walk.

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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.