Ben Newe, Strathdon

This enjoyable circuit climbs up through the Ben Newe forestry plantations before visiting the rocky summit - a superb viewpoint. The route is waymarked but the alternative descent route given is less frequently walked and some markers are missing.

Terrain

Forest tracks, paths and heathery hilltop. Steep in places.

Public Transport

None to start. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Ben Newe forest walks car park. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.75km / 2.25 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 239m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ373137

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Ben Newe

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

To reach the car park, take the minor road that cuts across towards Glen Buchat from just east of Bellabeg in Strathdon. After passing the house at Altdachie a signed, rough track branches off to the right; the parking is a short distance along this - but take care with the potholes. There is an information board here outlining the (very approximate!) route of this walk. Begin along the forest track - badly rutted in places - and waymarked in blue. It passes above a forest pool; at a junction bears slightly right to climb gently through the trees - remaining on the main track.

Stage 2

Near the edge of the wood a marker post indicates where the route turns sharp right, still following the main track and climbing. There is a felled area on the left. Keep straight ahead until a marked track junction, and then turn left. After 250m another marker indicates a right hand turn up a grassier forest with dense trees on either side. Keep ahead when another track joins from the right, and further up, look out for a left turn (waymarker) onto a grassy track running across the slope.

Stage 3

A clear path off to the right indicates a short-cut, but the marked route continues ahead along the overgrown grassy track until a fence, and then turns right alongside this. The two routes rejoin further on, soon climbing clear of the trees and then reaching the summit of Ben Newe. There is a large rock outcrop - incorporating a medieval well - and a trig point as well as a wooden seat. The views in all directions are superb.

Stage 4

Glen Buchat looks beautiful to the north, backed by the rolling hills and the outcrop on the summit of The Buck. Further right can be seen the ruins of Glenbuchat Castle and the winding River Don, and, in the distance, the summits of Bennachie. Continue the walk by following a narrow path south through the heather.

Stage 5

The path renters the forest and descends steeply down a ride, eventually emerging on a track. Turn right along the track and then right again at another marked junction. An old loose marker post indicates where to turn left onto a narrow path through a gap in the trees (alternatively - to avoid the more awkward navigation of the lesser used descent route- you could keep ahead on the track which soon rejoins the outward route). To keep on the alternative descent, follow the faint path until it eventually meets a post and mesh fence, and then turn right downhill alongside the fence (old marker). Ignore a track off to the right part way down, and eventually an overgrown flight of steps leads down to a wide track.

Stage 6

There is no marker post here, and the descent route continues straight across down a very steep bank initially (this could be avoided by turning right to rejoin the outward route). Keep on down through the trees to reach a second, grassy track; now turn left. Further on a marker post indicates a right hand turn down through a more open strip of woodland - Scots pines breaking up the ranks of spruces. When the faint path reaches a track sloping left, keep ahead downhill to another marker, and then turn right along the rutted track, slightly uphill back to the start of the walk.

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