Ballochbuie Forest

[GariochTom]

We set off from the car park at Keiloch, crossed the A93 and admired the Old Bridge of Dee from the riverside and then crossed it to enter the ancient woods of Ballochbuie Forest.


Invercauld Bridge over the Dee by GariochT, on Flickr


Invercauld Bridge by GariochT, on Flickr

The forest was silent - not even bird song could be heard. The snow on the ground was patterned by the complex tracks of cross country skis, hares (or rabbits) and grouse.

We made our way up the landrover tracks to the Falls of Garbh Allt - a very picturesque spot.

The Falls of Garbh Allt, Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr

Then we retraced our steps to a path junction, where we turned left to head up beside Glenbeg Burn and walk amongst some of the oldest Scots Pines in the country.


Old Scots Pine by GariochT, on Flickr


Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr


Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr

We spotted a hut beside a frozen fishing pond in the distance and decided to stop there for lunch.


A royal hut in Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr

Our intention was to walk to The Stuic, and after lunch we started to head uphill beside a nearby stream, to join up with a path that eventually led to a track leading up the Feindallacher Burn. We were soon struggling through very deep snow, making very slow progress, so we decided to cut our losses and retrace our steps, back down to the main track.


Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr


Scots Pines in Ballochbuie by GariochT, on Flickr

We passed the hut by the pond again and followed the track to the northwest and enjoyed excellent views across over native forest to the Stuic and across to the north beyond the River Dee.


The Stuic by GariochT, on Flickr


The Stuic from Ballochbuie Forest by GariochT, on Flickr

The track gradually descended through the forest back to the Old Bridge.


The Dee by GariochT, on Flickr

As the weather was so fine and there was still plenty of daylight left, we had a short wander in the Invercauld Estate by Craig Leek. Lochnagar looked magnificent, so we decided that that would be our destination the following day if the weather was equally good (which it was, as you can see in my report here! http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30179 )


Lochnagar from Keiloch by GariochT, on Flickr


Lochnagar from Keiloch by GariochT, on Flickr


Lochanagar from the snout of Craig Leek by GariochT, on Flickr

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

[Mangusta108]

Where is the log cabin ?