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This was the first Munro that I ever did in October 1992 so it was probably time for a revisit
The first time I did it I did the route over from Ballater which I remember as being less forested and less formal. It takes a good hour and a half to get out of the forested section of Glen Tanar before you hit the open vistas higher up Glen Tanar. Saying that there are some super views of the Waters of Tanar on the way:
Once you get out of the forested section the you can see the summit of Mount Keen pretty much straight away and continue alongside the river towards it:
There are a few bridges to cross zig zagging the river itself until the final bridge brings you to the base of Mount Keen:
The path is well defined towards the summit curving around to the east as you ascend up. Once at the summit the trig point awaits with some super 360 views.
The return was as I went up. On the way down a couple of adders were out on the path enjoying the unseasonably hot spring sunshine, I was thankful of an earlyish start, but as soon as they heard me bounding along they slithered off back into the heather. The shade of the forest section was actually a blessing now!
All in all a decent walk up the most easterly Munro. Easy access and a bike would make lighter work of the approach if that's your thang.
