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GRAHAM: Creag Bhalg
A fairly easy ascent leading to the moorland summit of Creag Bhalg with extensive views over Cairngorm National Park.
TERRAIN
Private road through Mar Lodge Estate, crossing public road on north-side of River Dee to immediately join a redundant ATV track that traverses diagonally in a north-west direction across heather moorland to 500m, thereafter traversing in a north-east direction on ATV track and little boggy path to summit.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
None to start. .
START
Victoria Bridge, a private bridge at NO102895, that crosses north across River Dee into the Mar Lodge Estate.
WALK STATISTICS
Distance 7km
Time 2 hours
Ascent 344m
Start Grid Ref NO102895
SUMMITS CLIMBED
GRAHAM Creag Bhalg
WALK DESCRIPTION
STAGE 1
Immediately opposite the Victoria Bridge at NO102895, space exists for 2 or 3 cars to park. From leaving car, cross the Victoria Bridge over the River Dee into the Mar Lodge Estate, where walkers are welcome, and follow the private road for 200m to a junction.
STAGE 2
At junction, keep right and follow private road in the direction of the Estate Office, which is signposted, for 400m.
STAGE 3
Approaching next junction, walkers should continue on the right fork and remain walking on the private road that passes through between the large barn and house. Once you have passed these two buildings, you should head left uphill for 100m to join the public road leading from Linn of Dee to Linn of Quoich.
STAGE 4
On arriving at the public road, walkers should immediately look left across to the other side of the public road and join an overgrown ATV track, that initially looks like a path and begin traversing this ATV track diagonally up the southerly slopes of Creag Bhalg in a north-westerly direction for 1km to the next junction. The ascent on the ATV track is gradual through some Scots Pine and heather moorland.
STAGE 5
A way-marker greets you as you arrive at the junction and walkers should avoid turning right (which ascends parallel with the 500m contour line) and avoid turning left (which descends to direction of Linn of Dee). Walkers should instead continue ascent by traversing in same north-westerly direction on a more defined ATV track which is slight hidden when you arrive at this junction for another 1km.
STAGE 6
After walking for 1km the view opens up across Cairngrom National Park towards direction of Cairn Toul, Braeriach and Ben Macdui. On your left-side of the ATV track you will find an isolated fence post and on your right-side the remains of an old Scots Pine tree. Approximately 20m after this fence post on your right side you will find a path in an easterly direction that heads directly to the summit of Creag Bhalg.
STAGE 7
To reach the summit, simply follow this easterly path uphill past the remains of the old Scots Pine tree for 850m to reach the summit of Creag Bhalg and enjoy outstanding rewarding views across Cairngorm National Park including Beinn lutharn Mhor to the west and Derry Cairngorm to the East.
STAGE 8
Return by same route
GPX ROUTE