Kerloch, an early start and outkicking the cow!

[The Rodmiester]

The best of the weather was forecast for the morning, so got up early and headed up the the unclassified road which runs South of Banchory between Templeton and theA957 to Stonehaven. The start is marked with a right of way marker to Glenbervie where there is enough room for a couple of cars. There is a sign on the fence warning about cattle in the field, but more about that later. Started off at back or 0730hrs.

Start of walk

Good walking track through field, some cows in the distant but not near the track, making good time.

Further on there were signs of snow melt erosion to the track

After passing through a metal gate further on just prior to entering the wooded area your faced with this warning sign on the gate, this is Sunday so no problems

After passing through the woods, track still good you come across this small hut on your left where thee has been considerable tree felling

Not far beyond the hut you come to a Y junction in the track, take the right fork, by now the track has become a lot rougher, and the gradient is becoming steeper

Soon you come to the open hillside, not far to go now

First sign of the summit cairn and trig point

A small path on the right takes you to the cairn then the trig point. There are fine views over Banchory

The way I came up to the summit

The Two sheds Hut, the name of the shed

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Johnny Corbett]

That looks a nice walk Rod. Kim and i were out on Saturday in Fife and after doing a couple of Subs we headed to climb Normans Law. On the track up a cow had ventured onto the track and just stared at us, i carried on to see if it would move but it wasn't going anywhere. Kim wasn't comfortable with this so we returned to the car. Cows can be very unpredictable when they have Calves around them and it's always a good idea to give them a wide berth.

[gmr82]

Hi Rodmiester, when I was holed up in Aberdeen during March (when the snow heavens had opened) I did 3 Subs. I had hoped to do this hill, but a previous report showed the track very eroded in places, so opted against for fear of being caught out by gaping holes in the snow.
Not that the snow is an issue now, but it looks like there is another - the cattle! Sounds damn scary. Are they freely roaming the land there or it is possible to avoid them? I'm really wary of cattle (more so from your report), and often have a dog as company when up Aberdeen way as well, so this hill may sadly be a big no-no for me

[The Rodmiester]

That looks a nice walk Rod. Kim and i were out on Saturday in Fife and after doing a couple of Subs we headed to climb Normans Law. On the track up a cow had ventured onto the track and just stared at us, i carried on to see if it would move but it wasn't going anywhere. Kim wasn't comfortable with this so we returned to the car. Cows can be very unpredictable when they have Calves around them and it's always a good idea to give them a wide berth.

Hi JC, it is a nice walk, but wait until you read my Hill of Garvock report! Your right of course about the cows with their young very unpredictable, I will be more careful in the future, says he face to face and surrounded later in the day

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rodmiester, when I was holed up in Aberdeen during March (when the snow heavens had opened) I did 3 Subs. I had hoped to do this hill, but a previous report showed the track very eroded in places, so opted against for fear of being caught out by gaping holes in the snow.
Not that the snow is an issue now, but it looks like there is another - the cattle! Sounds damn scary. Are they freely roaming the land there or it is possible to avoid them? I'm really wary of cattle (more so from your report), and often have a dog as company when up Aberdeen way as well, so this hill may sadly be a big no-no for me

Hi gm82 I read that report as well, I would not bother with the bike, just walk it. The cattle were in the first field and they never gave me a look going up, but on the way back this one cow started running at me, lucky I had brown trousers on

[Gordie12]

Suddenly you appreciate how big and strong these normally docile beasts are!

I split a herd of cows during the winter and the ones behind me decided they wanted to meet up with their pals ahead of me, only problem was they could only do it by passing me on the track which was about 10 feet wide. Suddenly I heard a sound behind me and when I looked round I saw half a dozen cows running at the other side of the track to try and get past me but the eye contact stopped them in their tracks. As the cows in front got further ahead the ones behind were getting more flustered so they had another run at it so without making direct eye contact I could see that they were all running along in a line behind me and going for another pass. As they were all holding the same line at the other side of the track I held my breath as they rushed passed me and that was when I realised that they were worthy of a bit more respect than I had maybe shown them in the past.

Still, it's more macho to run from a herd of cows than from a frisky pheasent

[kazuhart]

Hi Rod, I did this walk in april when there was snow lying on the upper part of the forest, it was the same track I used to the summit as well. Lucky for me there was no cattle in the field but the snow on top of eroded path was hard going, it's one of the best walks iv done so far as the views were stunning. Did you see any small frogs on the path?

[The Rodmiester]

Suddenly you appreciate how big and strong these normally docile beasts are!

I split a herd of cows during the winter and the ones behind me decided they wanted to meet up with their pals ahead of me, only problem was they could only do it by passing me on the track which was about 10 feet wide. Suddenly I heard a sound behind me and when I looked round I saw half a dozen cows running at the other side of the track to try and get past me but the eye contact stopped them in their tracks. As the cows in front got further ahead the ones behind were getting more flustered so they had another run at it so without making direct eye contact I could see that they were all running along in a line behind me and going for another pass. As they were all holding the same line at the other side of the track I held my breath as they rushed passed me and that was when I realised that they were worthy of a bit more respect than I had maybe shown them in the past.

Still, it's more macho to run from a herd of cows than from a frisky pheasent

Scary when it happens, but funny afterwards. I like you probably never thought about it in the past, but as you say more respect in the future

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rod, I did this walk in april when there was snow lying on the upper part of the forest, it was the same track I used to the summit as well. Lucky for me there was no cattle in the field but the snow on top of eroded path was hard going, it's one of the best walks iv done so far as the views were stunning. Did you see any small frogs on the path?

Hi kazuhart, I enjoyed the walk apart from the very last bit in the cow field. Cracking views from the top, and the path up to the Y junction after the wee hut was excellent for walking. No sign of any frogs, but I was not hanging about, I was on a mission and wanted to have three balloons by lunch time. Lots more in Aberdeenshire to do, looking forward to them.

[Sarah86]

Looks a really nice walk and with lovely views from the top. On my trip to Aberdeenshire the other week this was one I had considered but so glad I didn't after reading your experience with the cows! Not a good week for you and the cattle!

[The Rodmiester]

Looks a really nice walk and with lovely views from the top. On my trip to Aberdeenshire the other week this was one I had considered but so glad I didn't after reading your experience with the cows! Not a good week for you and the cattle!

It is a nice walk Sarah86, pity about the cows in the field, but I would think you would be able to see from the road if there were cows about, if there were there is always the one along the road a bit, fine track all the way, that is if you decide to stay on the track, no cows, good parking area and also fine fiews and a seat at the cairn, what more do you want

[superstar_tradesman]

3 years on, and there were no cows on this route. Instead, the risk you have to watch out for is model aeroplanes buzzing over your head