This circular walk on the Invercauld estate climbs a crag overlooking the River Dee, passing a pretty heather-thatched shelter with good views on the way.
Waymarked tracks and minor road
None to start; nearest bus stop is Braemar, 5km away by offroad path.
Car park at Keiloch (charge).
There is a walkers car park at Keiloch on the Invercauld Estate just off the A93; a charge is payable. This walk is the shorter of the two waymarked circuits from here; it begins along the tarmac continuation of the lane into the car park, and is signed as a public footpath to the Linn of Quoich. Continue along the road, passing the attractive estate houses. If the weather is clear, there are fine views of Beinn a' Bhùird ahead.
Continue along the private road which soon passes into the pinewoods. The huge and castellated Invercauld House can be glimpsed through the trees ahead, down to the left of the track. When a wooden footpath sign reading 'Around Craig Leek' is reached turn right onto a track leading up into the forest. After a short distance there is a waymarked junction; turn right here following the purple markers. The path climbs through the forest and passes the remains of a lime kiln. This would have been used to turn limestone into fertiliser through a heating process known as slaking.
Keep following the path as it climbs through the pines. The path turns to the left, ignore the turn to the right, and plunge back into the wood. The path keeps climbing and reaches a small shelter known as the fog house because it is thatched in heather known locally as fog. The shelter has lovely views over the Dee and is a good stopping point.
To continue the walk turn right uphill soon after the house and climb more steeply eventually passing through a metal gate and then bearing right as the path starts to level off.
The next section has fantastic views across to the hills and down onto the River Dee. Eagles and buzzards can often be seen circling overhead. When the wide track reaches a junction continue straight ahead following the purple marker.
The track now contours around the side of Craig Leek and the view changes to more open countryside towards Felagie where a small red estate house can be seen. Follow the track as it descends and curves back to the right with views of the crag behind. When the track reaches the bottom of the valley and joins the track from Felagie, turn right. Follow this track all the way back to the estate buildings and then the car park on the left.
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