This circular waymarked walk makes a fine route through very varied countryside, including farmland, moorland and woodland sections.
Bog Factor
Paths, tracks and minor roads, can be a little wet, overgrown or unclear in places.
Parking area at Tombae Quarry.
No public transport.
NJ218257
The walk starts from a signed parking area at Tombae Quarry near Tomnavoulin, the turning is just opposite the impressive Church of the Incarnation, built in 1829. From the parking area walk back down to the road and turn left and follow the road for a short distance. Just after a track off right to a house, go right through a pedestrian gate and follow a track heading gently downhill. The route is waymarked with green arrows as the Bochel circuit by the Glenlivet Estate, which has made a great effort to open up walking and cycling routes in the area.
Follow the track as it winds to and fro, eventually crossing a bridge over the River Livet. A short distance beyond turn right at a marker, leaving the track to cross a field to a bridge over a tributary. Cross this and then climb the bank diagonally left, keeping to the left side of a fence line. Continue along the top of the steep bank with the burn below on your left and fence on your right.
The path undulates gently, eventually passing through a couple of gates. Eventually it leads down grassy steps to reach a footbridge back over the burn. Cross this and keep straight ahead and up the slope opposite.
As it climbs the path curves to the right to continue through the trees. It eventually reaches an old grassy track - now just a path - turn right and follow this through woodland. Keep on the main path, which eventually leaves the trees behind to reach open moorland. Continue following the path which is in places almost lost in the heather. Cross a stile beside a gate and keep ahead, passing an area where old bronze age hut circles have been found.
The path continues towards another gate in a fence. Don't go through the gate but turn right and follow the indistinct path as it runs alongside the fence. There are lovely open views of the rolling countryside. Cross a stile and continue straight ahead across open ground. There are often lapwings and oystercatchers in the fields below. Eventually a fence comes alongside on your left. Just before the path reaches a track turn right - ignoring the Livet Path walk which keeps ahead - and instead follow a path to the right, with a Bochel circuit green marker. Further on the path becomes a muddy track.
Follow the track uphill and then down until it reaches several gates. Take the metal pedestrian gate on the right onto a grassy path that leads through the forestry plantation. Eventually this emerges from the forest and contours round above a river. Pass through a gate to follow it across the river on a bridge. The track climbs, passing through another gate to emerge on a minor road. Turn right along the road, around a bend and past a house. After a stream turn right along a farm track.
Keep following the main track. At a fork keep left (ignoring the track off right to a house). The track climbs and curves around the hill; after a little over a kilometre, look out for a marker post indicating where to turn right onto a narrow path down through the heather.
Follow the downhill through the heather, and then turn left to head over a stile into the trees. Beyond this the path is a little overgrown - keep ahead with a fence on your left, following the fence when it turns right downhill. Cross another stile and turn left, still keeping the fence on your left. Soon you descend grassy steps and rejoin the outward route at the bridge over the stream. Don't cross the bridge but turn left to retrace your steps back to the start of the walk.
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