Ben Newe - where'd the path go?

[KatTai]

Dropped my partner off in Aberdeen and decided to have a day out up there booking an enclosed field for my dogs, but there was time for a small hill first and this was the one we picked. There is a tiny car parking area that looks more like a turning circle and the track starts off from there grassy at first but it does become clearer with signposts pointing the way. The walk up to the summit was pleasant, but of a steeper section through woodland before reaching the top where there is a trig point and shelter complete with benches and some interesting rocks for Moss to pose on. We opted to do the full circuit following the clear track through the heather down to a grassy forestry track which bends round to the right - the forest has been cleared along here. Where the track reaches more trees, there is a faint path to the left (there is an arrow pointing uphill back to the summit on the path to the right). The path follows the edge of the trees eventually curving into the woods where a fence is reached. Someone has very usefully drawn an arrow on the completely faded marker here directing to the right of the fence. There is no clear path at the start but soon a clearer path is reached heading downhill. The fence is followed all the way down and at the bottom there were deep trenches made by forestry vehicles. I can imagine this bit could be very difficult to get across after prolonged wet weather. Fortunately it was dry and we clambered across spotting the steps down to a clear track on the other side. Straight across the track we spotted a clear path in the trees and we followed that until it turned downhill, perhaps it would have been better to just follow this path down but as it was I checked my GPS and realised we were parallel to the path we should have been on and headed slightly upwards to join the planned route which was on an overgrown grassy track, so may well be better taking the clear path until it curves away the marked route is literally just a few metres uphill of this path. Or, just follow that path down...We stayed on the route following the grassy track until a marker post directed us downhill. On this stretch the path has pretty much vanished and it was a case of just heading downhill until almost at a burn where we turned to the right crossing above an old rutted bit of ground finding a clearer path on the other side that led all the way back to the car park. In summery, a nice walk to start with but I'd maybe look for alternative descent options especially after a spell of very wet weather.

We finished with some time to spare so headed along to visit Kildrummy Castle before heading to the doggy field, there is an agility course set up there so lots of fun for the dogs!

Moss with one of the marker posts for the uphill part of this walk

Moss found a den among the roots of a fallen tree

Posing!

Lion King pose

At the summit

On the path downhill

The fence were we turned downhill, can't see in this pic but someone has drawn an arrow on the white square

The route heads downhill, no clear path here just keep going down.

Visited Kildrummy Castle afterwards

Moss having fun in the enclosed dog field

Coinneach loving the tunnels

Jumping