Mount Keen is the most easterly of the Munros, taking the form of a dome rising above vast swathes of empty, bleak moorland, with extensive views on a good day. The ascent from Glen Esk via Glen Mark is the shortest route and gives good going underfoot.
Track and good hillpath, but very exposed in bad weather.
Very limited (school bus times only) bus from Brechin.
Invermark car park, Glen Esk.
From the car park at Invermark, follow the road over the bridge and past the church on the right. Take the next right signed for Mount Keen and the Queen's Well and just before the house bear left following another sign and go through a gate to follow a track. The track leads out into the open glen, the sandstone tower of Invermark castle can be seen through the trees on the left. Built as a garrison fort by the local landowner it's function was to provide protection from Aberdeenshire cattle raiders who would use the traditional routes through the glens.
The track soon reaches an old metal gate, go through this and continue up the glen. The glen is a popular place to spot red deer especially during the annual rut in October. A track joins in from the left, and after the route continues closer by the river.
Eventually the granite arches of the Queen's Well come into view ahead. This was built over the site of a spring where Queen Victoria stopped on one of her pony treks in the Angus glens. Branch off onto a narrower path on the right to reach the well.
Turn left to rejoin the track, then turn right along it, passing to the left of Invermark Cottage. The Easter Burn is crossed - easy in dry conditions but after heavy rains things could become more difficult. Just beyond, the track next crosses the Ladder Burn via an iron grid.
Continue along the rough track as it heads up the Ladder Glen; higher up it begins to climb away from the burn and a zig-zig leads up onto the moorlands above. There are excellent views back down towards Glen Esk. Continue on the track and then the main path which heads north up the moors.
At a junction turn right on a constructed path - the left fork was the original route of the Mounth Road but these days the path over Mount Keen itself is the busier of the two routes. From here to the summit the path had become very eroded but it has been greatly repaired in recent years.
There a couple of rockier sections before bouldery summit cone of Mount Keen is topped by a trig point at 939 metres. This is the most easterly of the Munros, but the surrounding landscape is one of vast, sweeping moorland rather than mountains. Lochnagar to the west gives a glimpse of more craggy terrain.
If returning to Glen Esk the usual way back is to retrace your steps. If transport permits it is possible instead to continue north, finally finishing in Glen Tanar to make a fine traverse - but Glen Tanar is many, many miles from Invermark by public road!
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