Morrone birkwood (birk is Scots for birch) is a National Nature Reserve, one of the finest examples of 'downy' birchwoods in the UK and with vast areas of juniper. This fine circuit explores the nature reserve and has some wonderful views.
Summary
Waymarked paths, can be muddy in places
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1. The walk begins from the car park at the top of Chapel Brae in Braemar, though it can just as easily be begun in the centre of the village. To reach Chapel Brae, take the road towards the Linn of Dee and turn left at the little roundabout at the west end of the village, then keeping right on up the hill at the fork. The car park is off to the left at the top. Begin the walk by returning to the road and turning left past an attractive little pond with a view to Morrone; the road soon becomes a track. When the track forks, take the left branch (you are following the blue waymarkers).
2. Keep left at the signposted junction and follow the track as it winds uphill into the birchwoods. The trees are heavily draped in lichen, evidence of the clear air as well as the great age of the woods; below the trees is a dense underlayer of juniper. The track climbs past the farmhouse of Woodhill; keep right at the junction (blue waymarker). Finally the climb ends as the track reaches a triangular junction. Before turning right here, take some time to admire the fine views back down through the birches and across the valley of the Dee.
3. Follow the now fairly level path as it winds through the birches. Soon it reaches and passes through a gate and fence; this protects the innermost part of the birchwood from browsing by red deer. Beyond it the trees are more widely spaced, permitting some wonderful views. In clear weather, Derry Cairngorm dominates the mountains, snow-covered for much of the year, whilst looking back down the Dee towards Braemar is a vast carpet of fields and forests backed by rolling mountains.
4. The path heads towards a forestry plantation; once reached, do not cross the stile into this but instead turn right and follow a path on the near side of the fence. The path soon curves right and begins to head back towards Braemar, soon rejoined by the birches. Another path joins in from the left.
5. The path crosses a couple of small streams before coming close to the fenced part of the woods once more. Keep left of the fence to eventually reach a track and rejoin the outward route at the track. Head back down it to return to the car park.
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