Lochnagar from Glen Muick

1. Park at the large car and coach park at the end of the public road up Glen Muick; there is a charge, which goes towards path restoration. Continue along the track to the Spittal of Glen Muick, where there is a small wooden visitor centre and public toilets. The route to Lochnagar turns up the track to the right here. Follow this across the flat floor of Glen Muick, soon crossing a bridge over the River Muick. At the far side of the glen, the track reaches the forestry surrounding the Balmoral Estate's various buildings at Allt-na-guibhsaich. Follow the path up through the woods to gain the track which ascends beside the stream.

2. After just under a kilometre of ascent the track crosses to the north side of the Allt na Guibhsaich; this is usually straightforward to cross. Pass above the minor gorge of Clais Rathadan and curve round to the right. Further on, take the clear path which branches off from the track to the left - this is the main path for Lochnagar, and has been much improved in recent years by stone-pitching. Follow the path as it climbs towards the bealach (col) visible between the main bulk of Lochnagar on the left, and its outlying peak of Meikle Pap.

3. The path passes a memorial to Bill Stuart, a climber who died on the cliffs in 1953. As you approach the bealach, the main Lochnagar path diverts off to the left, but it is really worth continuing ahead to the bealach itself. Here, the massive but gentle and stony hills of the walk so far are replaced by a view across Lochnagar's famous northern corrie, a magnificent curve of buttresses cradling a lochan. If you have the energy, you can divert up to the summit of Meikle Pap to the right for the best views.

Photo: Kinley

4. You can now either retrace your steps back to the main path, or climb more directly up the slope on the left, known as the Ladder. This is a steep boulder field and care is needed; in winter this slope is notorious for avalanches. Above the Ladder the slope eases onto the plateau. Follow the edge of the cliffs (not too closely!) round to the right; in good weather you can peer down the gullies to the lochan below. As the cliffs curve to the northwest, there is another ascent, and the minor cairn on a boulder at Cac Carn Mor is just beyond.

5. Continue further to reach the viewpoint indicator on the pointed rocky outcrop at Cac Carn Beag, the true summit of Lochnagar, a magnificent viewpoint for Deeside and the Cairngorms massif. Lochnagar was climbed by Queen Victoria, who wrote of the summit 'it was cold, wet and cheerless, and the wind was blowing a hurricane.' Hopefully your luck is better! Return to Cac Carn Mor, and this time follow the southeast, diverting away from the cliffs. This soon descends into the upper section of the Glas Allt glen. Follow the path close to the stream as the glen opens out onto a flat 'alp'. This flatter section is short-lived, however, as just beyond the stream tumbles down a very steep slope to make the Glas Allt falls; the path winds down the hillside on its south side.

6. Follow the path down the hillside to reach the magnificent Royal Lodge of Glas-allt-Shiel - much beloved by Queen Victoria and more recently by Prince Charles. There is an unlocked refuge here for walkers; this has been vandalised several times in the past - please do your bit to maintain it by carrying out any rubbish that has been left here. Turn left along the track which follows the shores of Loch Muick. At the foot of the Loch is a boat house; turn right here to follow the path passing in front and it and then across the bottom of the loch, crossing the outflow on a footbridge. The path then leaves the lochside and heads northeast, soon joining a track. Turn left along this to return to the Spittal of Glenmuick.

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