Morrone Birkwood, Braemar

Summary

Morrone birkwood (birk is Scots for birch) clothes the flanks of the hill rising south of Braemar. It is regarded as one of the finest examples of 'downy' birchwoods in the UK and with vast areas of juniper. This fine circuit explores the nature reserve and has some wonderful views into the Cairngorms.

Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths, can be muddy in places

Getting there

Start

Chapel Brae car park, Braemar.

Public Transport

Regular bus service between Braemar and Aberdeen.

Start Grid Ref

NO142911

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
OL52 Glen Shee

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (0)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park (height barrier) off to the left at the top of Chapel Brae in Braemar, though it can just as easily be started from the centre of the village. To reach Chapel Brae, take the road towards the Linn of Dee and taking the second left at the little roundabout at the west end of the village, then keeping right on up the hill at the fork. The car park is off to the left at the top. Begin the walk by returning to Chapel Brae and turning left passing the attractive duck pond with a view to Morrone. The road soon becomes a track; when it track forks, take the left branch signed for Morrone Viewpoint.

Stage 2

Keep left at the next junction and follow the track as it winds uphill into the birchwoods. The trees are heavily draped in lichen, evidence of the clear air as well as the great age of the woods; below the trees is a dense underlayer of juniper. The track climbs past the hosue at Woodhill; at the next fork take the path that branches direclty uphill to the left. This leads up to a viewpoint indicator and a bench with a superb outlook back down through the birches and across the valley of the Dee.

Stage 3

Just beyond the viewpoint a track is reached at a signed junction. Turn right along this track, and at a fork where the main track bears right downhill, take the left path which keeps fairly level, winding through the birches. Soon it reaches and passes through a gate and fence. Beyond it the birch trees are more widely spaced, permitting some wonderful views. In clear weather, Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm are well seen, snow-covered for much of the year, whilst looking back down the Dee towards Braemar is a vast carpet of fields and forests backed by rolling mountains.

Stage 4

The path heads towards a forestry plantation; once reached, ignore the gate and stile and instead turn right to follow a path on the near side of the fence. The path soon curves right (ignore two smaller paths on the left) and begins to head back towards Braemar, at first across open moorland but soon rejoined by scattered birches.

Stage 5

Another path joins in from the left. The path crosses a couple of small streams before coming close to the fenced part of the woods once more. Don't go through the gate but keep left of the fence to eventually reach a path junction. Turn left and after a gate rejoin the outward route at the track. Head back down it to return to the car park.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?