This walk follows a waymarked forestry track up onto Sgor Buidhe but then continues along a high moorland ridge with fine views before descending through the woods.
Summary
Forest and moorland tracks; faint in parts.
Terrain
NO369959
Grid ref
11.5km/7 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Ballater Tourist Information / Old Railway station
[Map
of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
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Ballater is well served by buses running between Braemar and Aberdeen.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. The walk begins from the car park in front of the old railway station in the centre of Ballater; if there is no space there is alternative parking behind the church on the main green square. The walk begins through a signed gap at the far end of the station building and goes down the old platform, turning right along the route of the railway line. After a short distance follow the yellow waymarkers (and Sgor Buidhe) sign when they point left through the housing estate. Head straight across a road onto the cinder path (again signed). It runs along the edge of the fields before reaching another small housing estate beyond the edge of Ballater. When it emerges onto a cul-de-sac road, go straight across and follow it onto the Pass of Ballater through road. Turn right along this, passing an electricity sub-station, and then turn left onto a forestry track heading steeply uphill - again this is signed for Sgor Buidhe.
2. The track climbs very steeply through the plantation, and there is little to see at first to distract from the effort of the climb. Higher up the track bends left and the trees become much more varied, with occasional views down Deeside. Eventually the woods thin out and there is a good view up the Tullich Burn to the hill of Morven, a Corbett. The track then swings left once more.
3. Continue on the track to the saddle between the radio transmitter mast and the higher hills to the right; the main track bends sharp left here towards the transmitter. Go straight ahead onto a rougher track (waymarker - the last one) and then almost immediately turn right on a muddy track heading uphill through the trees. The track soon becomes drier and some wonderful views open out, with a view up the Dee as well as across to Lochnagar beyond with its great corrie visible and occasional glimpses of Ballater.
4. Continue on the track as the last of the trees are left behind. Soon it reaches another track crossing the ridge at a 't'-junction; don't turn onto this track, instead simply dog-leg left and continue ahead on a very faint track on the other side of the fence. This leads up to the little white boulder that marks the highest point on the whole ridge, with wonderful views all around but particularly into Glen Gairn.
5. When the track comes right alongside the fence a short distance beyond, cross the fence onto another track which runs along the other side. This track curves left and eventually begins the descent; it is quite faint at times but fairly consistently keeps about a hundred metres to the right of the fence. Lower down the tree line is reached and the descent continues through some fine mixed woodland. The track is a little boggy in places here. At the bottom of the woods, go through the gate into the field beside a very low but broad drystone wall. Head down through the field and then go left along its bottom edge to reach another gate. Go through this and continue along a grassy track to the farmhouse visible ahead.
6. Pass in front of the fine farmhouse with its wonderful outlook up the Dee valley and continue ahead along its lane. This eventually reaches the Pass of Ballater road; turn right here for a short distance to reach the A96. Cross this with care; on the far side, slightly to the right, a gap in the fence marks the start of a path that zigzags down the steep bank. This joins the wide path that follows the line of the projected railway from Ballater to Braemar; the railway was never built but this section makes a fine walk. Turn left along it, soon reaching a bench; the wide River Dee comes alongside for the final lovely section through the pinewoods. Go straight ahead when a lane is crossed, and again at another lane, passing some of Ballater's fine old houses. At the 't' junction turn left to reach the main A96. Turn right along this to return to the start.
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