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This was just as I'd hoped—a nice simple circuit for a hill run, and done on one of the warmest days I've had on the hills (though it's looking like one of many sunny 2018 days so far
).
I had the hill to myself—I guess hillwalkers were all on something higher that day—but the B976 was pretty popular with cyclists! My starting point was the large parking area at Braenaloin, and I must have been passed by around 30 cyclists in several different groups while I got ready, all of whom were heading southwest uphill from Gairnside to Deeside.
- Geallaig Hill from the starting point on the B976
I decided on an anti-clockwise loop, as it seemed like a more gentle climb, so I set off up the road to the track end near the high point of the road. From there, it was a plod until I hit the broad ridge, and the views opened up. The track ahead was clear and reasonably good running, with just a couple of steeper bits that slowed me to a walk.
- Looking east up the track to the summit
I reached the top, and the large circular cairn with trig pillar inside, in just under 55 minutes, and took a rest for some photos before beginning the shorter, steeper descent north.
- Lochnagar and upper Deeside fields from the summit
Just over a quarter of an hour later I was back at the car, rehydrating just enough for a drive back to Braemar for refuelling at The Bothy (in the company of more cyclists
)
