Walkhighlands

A couple of pretty standard hills for this particular adventure, with a couple of hills in or near Ballater. First was the Glen Muick Corbett of Conachcraig. This was then followed by the Ballater sub 2000 of Craigendarroch.

I’d realised that my slightly late start might be a bit of a mistake, as many of the popular parking areas for hillwalkers were all looking quite full. I was bracing myself for the Spittal of Glen Muick parking area being chocker........I wasn’t wrong , but thankfully was lucky enough to spy a space on arrival. Certainly no chance of getting away from the crowds here.........it was busier than a Saturday afternoon in Sauchiehall Street Parking for the day isn’t cheap, at £4.........but at least there are toilets provided

P1070061 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Getting away from it all

My route for Conachcraig was pretty straightforward...........following the Lochnagar path up to the 678 high point on the track.

P1070063 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Setting off

P1070064 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
The good thing about popular areas is you get plenty of help

P1070067 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
My target ahead of me

P1070070 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
A nice, but brief, walk through some trees

P1070075 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
The path what I was walking on

P1070088 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Time to leave the track and head up hill

From there it was a straightforward path up to the plateau. I got a bit confused, as there are three granite tors on the top and I wasn’t sure which one was the highest.......so had to visit them all

P1070091 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Heading up hill

P1070095 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
View back to Lochnagar

P1070099 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Almost at the summit

P1070103 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Summit plateau

P1070107 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Mount Keen

P1070115 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Lochnagar again

Great views, especially back Lochnagar and also off to the distant Mount Keen.

Headed off to the subsidiary Caisteal na Caillich, to extend the walk a little. Then back the way I had come and back to the car park, which had emptied a little by that time.

P1070120 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Caisteal na Caillich

P1070142 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
What a relief

Then it was back to Ballater, where I parked up in the big car park behind the Church (with excellent facilities – I must be a man of a certain age, given my obsession with toilets ).

For Craigendarroch I simply followed the WH route. It was a pleasant late afternoon stroll to the top and then drop down to follow a path skirting high above the Pass of Ballater.

P1070146 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
There's a clue there somewhere

P1070150 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Nice route throug the trees

P1070154 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
I really do like a nice tree

P1070157 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Lochnagar

P1070160 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Very nice route as height was gained

P1070175 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Pano of the viewpoint........the summit is a little further along the path

P1070179 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Cloud formation from the actual summit

P1070185 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Following the route off the hill

Started hearing voices and eventually picked out a couple of chaps climbing up the face of Creag an t-Seabhaig. I’d have loved to have joined them, but.........

P1070187 by Pete Riedel, on Flickr
Why........?

Soon enough I was back at the car and then heading home. A super little hill to end the day.

I love this area, and both of these hills. Can highly recommend Conachraig from the other direction too - plus you have the option to pop up Lochnagar after

Jaxter wrote:I love this area, and both of these hills. Can highly recommend Conachraig from the other direction too - plus you have the option to pop up Lochnagar after

Thanks Jackie. Lochnagar is on my "repeat" list..............but I've got to compleat first