This superb circular walk explores the spectacular Ballochbuie Forest, one of the largest Scots pine woods on Deeside. It visits several beautiful old bridges and a series of waterfalls with stunning pools in the burn.
Bog Factor
Mostly good forest tracks; narrower path to falls. Fair amount of ascent and descent.
Car park at Keiloch (charge).
Bus to Invercauld Bridge on A93 near start.
NO188912
There is a walkers car park at Keiloch on the Invercauld Estate just off the A93; a charge is payable. To begin the walk, head back down the lane from the car park to the A93. Cross with care and take the footpath off the far side - signed for Braemar. This leads down to a bench overlooking the River Dee, then bends right towards the Old Brig o' Dee - built between 1749-54 by General Caulfeild as part of the military road built after Culloden. Turn left to cross the bridge over the river.
On the far side turn left along the track, passing through a gate into Ballochbuie Forest, a part of the Balmoral Estate and one of the most significant remnants of ancient Caledonian Forest on Deeside; it is home to rare species including Scottish crossbill and capercaillie; please keep any dogs on a lead to avoid disturbing unseen nest sites. At a staggered track junction bear slightly left to stay on the main track. After almost another kilometre the track leads over a bridge; turn left on the far side, crossing a cattle grid.
After another 300m the track crosses a bridge over the Garbh Allt. Straight ahead here is the Ballochbuie ornamental suspension bridge over the Dee - it's beautiful to see but is kept locked at the far end. Instead, turn right before reaching the bridge. Keep right along the track to reach a clearing, and pass the cottages at Garbh Allt Shiel. Please respect the privacy of the residents, continuing along the track to re-enter the trees and reach a t-junction - turn right here. After crossing a wooden bridge over the Garbh Allt, turn left at the junction beyond.
The track now climbs through the trees, with good views down to the lovely Garbh Allt and its pools to your left. Ignore a path to a small wooden footbridge, continuing until a track junction just beyond - go left here. After another 160m the track swings right away from the river; you'll return to this point in a moment to follow it, but first take the footpath ahead to reach the Garbh Allt falls, which are spanned by a beautiful wrought iron footbridge overlooking the perfect pools.
Retrace your steps to the track and turn left to continue along it. Ignore a track off left after 100m or so, continuing ahead for a little over a kilometre after which the track crosses the Glenbeg burn below a small dammed pond, overlooked by the Honka Hut - a favourite lunch spot of Queen Elizabeth II. The original hut was a Silver Jubilee gift from Finland; it was rebuilt in 2023 after a fire.
To continue the walk, ignore the track off right and instead take the one ascending through the pines ahead. The track climbs around the flank of Sròn na Bhruic and gives superb views out over the magnificent forest.
Eventually the track descends to return to the staggered cross-roads from Stage 2 of the walk. Turn left here, pass through the gate and then turn right to head back over the Old Brig o' Dee and return to the start.
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