Creag nan Gabhar circuit

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Summary

The rounded Corbett of Creag nan Gabhar makes for an enjoyable circuit giving good views of the higher mountains all around. The return can be made past the foot of Loch Callater.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good tracks and hill paths for much of the route; section after summit is pathless heather before tracks again reached at Callater Lodge

Public Transport

None to start; walk begins 3km south of Braemar.

Start

Parking area at Auchallater. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14.5km / 9 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 479m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO155881

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Creag nan Gabhar

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (16)

Stage 1

There is a car park off the A93 on the south side of the bridge over the Callater Burn by Auchallater Farm, with a parking charge. The walk begins up the track, which is signed as a public path to Clova - a reminder that this is part of the historic route known as Jock's Road, heading over the hills from Braemar to Glen Doll. The track goes through a gate (locked to vehicular traffic) and soon bends to the right to enter the barren lower reaches of Glen Callater. Interest is added by the cascading river alongside the track. Jock's Road has a key place in the history of Scottish Access. When Duncan MacPherson bought the Glen Doll estate in the late nineteenth century he tried to ban all access to the estate. John Winter ('Jock') fought for the right to walk this old drove route; legal action went as far as the House of Lord's and by the time it was finished, both MacPherson and the Scottish Rights of Way Society were bankrupt. It led to the passing of the Scottish Rights of Way Act, the most important piece of legislation for walkers until the more recent Land Reform Act of 2005 granted increased rights to walkers.

Stage 2

After 1.6km turn sharply right onto a rougher track that begins climbing up in a series of zigzags to reach Sròn Dubh (the black nose), the start of the north ridge of Creag nan Gabhar. At one point the track descends slightly but this can be avoided by taking a shortcut path on the left that rejoins the track higher up. Once the broad ridge is gained the views really begin to open up, particularly across Glen Clunie and back to Braemar.

Stage 3

The heather track now follows the ridge southwards, climbing steadily to reach Sròn nan Gabhar before dropping slightly, climbing over a second bump to a second slight dip and becoming a path before the final climb up towards Càrn nan Gabhar. The best views are probably looking back, with Beinn a'Bhuird and Ben Avon filling much of the northern horizon, the latter instantly identifiable due to its many tors.

Stage 4

The path curves to the west on the flat plateau to head for the summit cairn of Creag nan Gabhar, a Corbett at 834 metres. With the final few paces a grand view opens up to the Cairnwell and its neighbours. From here probably the easiest descent is to retrace your steps as the next part of the route is pathless. Head east for around 400m before heading SE down heather slopes to reach a boggy shoulder. Continue southeast, descending to reach a track just north of the bealach. Turn left along the track towards Glen Callater.

Stage 5

If the track is followed right down into Glen Callater it reaches an unbridged ford on the River Callater, so instead branch off at NO170837 where an intermittent path - hard to spot at times - leads off to the right to reach a footbridge over the tributary burn at NO174842, which is unseen until it is reached. From here, continue to the main track bridge over the River Callater just short of Lochcallater Lodge. Just past the front of Lochcallater Lodge is Callater Stable - an open bothy maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Stage 6

From the front of the bothy there is also a good view across the waters of lonely Loch Callater to the mountains beyond. To continue the walk, simply follow the main landrover track back down Glen Callater - crossing another bridge at one point - to return to the start.

Route Profile

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