How to make a mistake from the carpark!!!! Yes like others we failed to spot the path going out of the back of the carpark and made for the river crossing Feet wet right from the start , as of course do to the storm in 2015 the bridge and road are no longer there. The bikes didn't quite make it accross
IMG_1521 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
After about half a mile we realised our error and returned to the river and went up the side we were on so we could cross the bridge by the "Punchbowl". This was a bonus as we might have missed this tourist attraction. Here are few shots, definitely worth a detour, of course you can easily do it from the correct route
IMG_1528 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
DSCF3022 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
DSCF3024 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
DSCF3027 by Paul Howard, on Flickr

This added about an hour to our day and as we cycled we saw other examples of the damage to the track due to the storm. However as we were in a drought it wasn't a problem and we made good time and didn't bother with the alternatives to the riverside.
IMG_1546 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
In this next photo you can see where the 2015 storm has completely washed the track away.
IMG_1547 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
When we got to the ford near the mountain, should we cross the river again???? we decided to cycle on, as the river was so shallow, & we wanted to save another half mile
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
We soon were able to park the bikes at the end of the track as we reached the tree line.
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr It didn't take long to leave the trees behind and follow a good track.
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
We made good time and met up a couple of young Asian men who starting their first adventure in climbing a mountain They had flown up from London to Inverness and then caught a bus to Braemar, camped overnight and had walked all the way to where we were (no bikes), they had little equipment We encouraged them as best we could, but they soon had to drop down to the stream to fill one of their only water bottles. We saw them in the distance on the way down.
As we got a bit higher we saw the lovely grasses which "Ponyexpress" insisted I photograph.
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
By now we were well onto the plateau. Ponyexpress wanted a few shots of the sense of remoteness and wilderness you get up here.
DSCF3039 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Here is a couple with Ben Avon in the distance.
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Ben Avon tantalising close , at least it appeared so, but we had bagged it a few days ago from the other valley, going up by the Sneck.
DSCF3035 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
DSCF3034 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
And of course the Summit It might be more of a challenge to find in poor visibillity.
DSCF3038 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
DSCF3032 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Some wonderful views on the way back down
DSCF3048 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Descending the plateau.
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
Then a lovely ride out, with a lot of downhill, thanks for the bikes. As we were coming out we met this dad with his five year old son riding in for some wild camping. Dad was cooking bacon for their tea
Untitled by Paul Howard, on Flickr
A great day out not spoiled by the detour