The summit of Càrn Dàimh, though less than 600m, offers fine views over the rolling Glenlivet hill country between Ben Rinnes and the Cairngorms. This waymarked circuit takes in farmland, forestry plantations and open heather moorland.
Waymarked route; mostly forest tracks on ascent, some rougher and indistinct paths on descent. Boggy to approach farm near the end.
Nearest bus stop is Tomintoul, 2 km walk away.
Glenconglas car park.
This is one of a number of walks marked out by Glenlivet Estate - part of the Crown Estate. A small car park is provided by Glenconglas cottage, around 2.5km from Tomintoul. An info board gives details of the route. The walk begins along the track signed 'Carn Daimh forest trail'. The track slopes gently round the field; ignore a track off right and instead continue on the main track which runs along the bottom of a plantation of Scots pine. This is a very pleasant stretch of countryside - keep an eye out for Roe deer which can often be seen when they dart out from the woods, and for wild flowers which are plentiful in the meadows in early summer.
Ignore a track off right and pass through a gate. The track now bends round to the left; after this, ignore a track off left. When forest looms ahead, take the track which turns off to the right (waymarked). The track crosses a bridge over a burn, passes a picnic table and begins to climb, curving round to the right. The trees close in on this section and deny good views. Pass a bench and ingore a mountain bike route (waymarked '8') off right. Towards the top of this first section of the climb, take the track that turns off to the left. Almost immediately this forks into three; the left hand route hands downhill and the right hand one through a gate; take the main middle track (waymarked) climbing gently through the trees.
Continue uphill for another 400m to another fork; this time, turn right. After a similar distance bear right at another fork to continue the ascent. This forestry section can be a little dull with the trees packed so tightly and the gradual grind uphill. Ignore a track joining from the right, continuing straight ahead - soon the trees are left behind and the track emerges onto the moor. There are great views back to Ben Rinnes and as height is gained, a view of the Cairngorms ahead, with Ben Avon and Beinn a'Bhùird prominent and Cairn Gorm and Bynack More further right. Ignore the top of the red mountain bike trail off right, continuing ahead to reach a picnic table offers a great opportunity to take in the views.
Cross the stile over the fence on your left to reach the cairn. There is a view indicator enabling easy identification of the hills all around. A Speyside Way signpost indicates where to begin the descent; turn right along the Speyside Way. The track runs downhill to the left of the fence and with occasional trees; eventually it comes alongside a plantation. At the corner of the trees, go into the forest through the gate ahead. The track now goes briefly uphill before resuming the descent. A 't'-junction is soon reached; turn right (signed 'Tomintoul').
The track soon leaves the forest behind at a gate and stile, and crosses the open moorland ahead, with views of the Cairngorms. Look out for a marker post that indicates a right hand turn onto a faint path in the heather. Turn down this. The descent runs parallel to the line of a long-overgrown track that is still clearly visible as a groove running down the moor; faint paths in the heather help the descent sometimes on one side of the goove, sometimes the other. Continue straight ahead, ignoring any better paths running across the groove. When you near a fence bear slightly right to head through a gate. Continue down a clearer path down to reach and pass through another gate.
Go straight ahead down the field, with the fence on your left. When you reach a stile on your left cross it. The route now leads through a boggy area - keep left aiming for the wooden planks hidden amongst the grasses, and ta small footbridge. Beyond this the route is clearer but often very muddy - head for the gate and pass through the farmyard. The parking area at the start of the walk is just a short distance beyond.
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