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I have climbed Mount Keen several times but always from Glen Esk so I was keen to try this alternative route to see how it compared.
I parked at the lower car park (without realising it was the lower car park
) but as has been mentioned by others the top car park remains shut for now.
Starting at the lower car park means the first kilometre is along the road but it's quiet and on the plus side you have the chance to buy some free range eggs (probably best to do this on the way back)
Navigation round all the estate buildings is straightforward and I quickly reached The Mounth track that would take me through the woods and on to Mount Keen.
The walk through the woods is on a good track and on a very slight incline staying fairly close to the Water of Tanar.
A really nice first hour through the woods then it's out on to the open moor just as the sun came out. As the track heads through the glen it's still a consistent and very slight climb with Mount Keen appearing in the distance.
- First view of the open countryside
- Etnach Cottage
- If you like old stone bridges this is a great route
- First view of Mount Keen
- Mont Keen from slightly further up the track
The route crosses the Water of Tanar a couple of times as it heads up the glen and on a good day the route ahead up Mount Keen is obvious (and appears to be pretty steep).
- Looking down the glen
- Last bridge before the climb
- Easy grit track for the larger part of the climb
- View looking west as I left The Mounth road
I had my first quick stop of the day at the last bridge before the climb to get some food down me then it was time for the hard work. The first two thirds of the climb is steep but on a good track it's straight forward. After leaving The Mounth track it's a stone staircase all the way to the top and a couple of stops (for photos obviously) are in order. The end of the steps marks the end of the steep climb and it's then a short walk to the summit.
- Mount Keen summit
Having had the entire length of Glen Tanar to myself (other than an estate worker passing me in his landrover) it was a surprise to see half a dozen people at the top and another two couples just about to arrive. While at the top there was a bit of cloud cover and with a stronger wind it got fairly cool for the fifteen minutes I stayed there.
While at the top I took the decision to take the Glen Esk descent to pick up The Mounth and then head back round the hill to link up with my ascent track. This added on just under 2 miles and some extra ascent.
- The climb back round Mount Keen having picked up The Mounth track
The Mounth track and the stone staircase make for good walking, looks like a lot of work has been done on this side of the hill in recent years.
Having got back to my ascent route it was now time for the drop down to the Water of Tanar and this was the hardest part of the day for me. I'm probably a size 11.5 boot but after size 11 there are no half sizes so it is either cram in to an 11 or space out in a 12. I go for the spaced out option which is great on the flat or the climb but can occasionally be hell on a steep descent and this was one of those days with my toes continually banging off the front of my boot. The descent down to the bridge was slow going made all the worse by misjudging a step and kicking a large boulder
- The view down and the woods look a long way away
I was glad to reach the base of the hill but I knew a few minutes of flat walking and the pain would go. Back down in the glen the cloud had gone, I was sheltered from the wind and the sun was out so it was short sleeve time.
Having had the glen to myself in the morning it was a bit busier in the afternoon (all mountain bikers - no walkers).
- Water of Tanar looking down the glen
- and again
- Another bridge
On the way back down the glen I had the sun behind me and the light was fantastic.
- Water of Tanar
- Back in the woods
Back in to the woods and whilst at the start of the walk there was cloud cover now there was uninterrupted sunlight. A lot of Scots Pine here and the trees are well spaced out so a lot of sunlight gets down to ground level.
Back on tarmac I complied with the following instruction.
- Autumn is here
At the car I was surprised to see that I had covered a total of 20.6 miles which is just under 4 miles longer than the WH report. This was due to a) starting at the lower car park and b) my loop of Mount Keen rather than retracing my steps.
Having now climbed this hill from both Glen Esk and Glen Tanar there's only one winner for me and I'll definitely be coming back to do this walk again. From Glen Esk you don't really see much of Mount Keen, from Glen Tanar it's completely different. This was a walk of thirds for me, a third through the woods, a third of open glen and a third of climbing.
Can't recommend this route enough, if doing Mount Keen and you have the time - this is the way to go