Meikle Balloch is a largely forested hill to the east of the town of Keith. The moorland summit rises clear of the conifers and gives extensive views over Moray and Aberdeenshire.
Forest paths and tracks, with muddy section on open moorland summit.
None to start; buses and trains serve Keith, 4km away via minor road.
Balloch Forest car park.
To reach the parking area, turn up Bridge Street from Keith and follow the minor road until a parking area off on the left side where the road bends right near the end; there is an information board here with a map of several waymarked walks. Begin by heading along the track through the gate (to the left from the info boards). Keep left when a wide junction is reached.
A short distance further on, when the main track bends left, take the track which veers slightly right. At the next junction, ignore the blue route path (which is a shortcut to the summit) and instead continue ahead, following the black and green arrows. Eventually the path becomes a track and a felled area gives more open views, with Knock Hill prominent to the northeast.
Continue until the track joins another coming up from the left; at this point leave both tracks, instead turning right onto a rutted path climbing more directly up the hill; it is quite eroded. Path way up take a right turn (red waymarker) onto a better section of footpath. There are superb views looking back into Aberdeenshire.
The path continues up onto the open heathery dome at the top of the hill to reach the summit, marked by a trig point. The views are extensive, with nearby Keith being well-seen.
Ignore the paths leading both left and right from the summit, instead taking the path almost straight ahead, in the direction of distant Ben Rinnes. The path passes a tumbledown cairn and then gently descends.
When the path reaches the forestry the going underfoot becomes solid once more. The path snakes downhill through the trees, with one open section on the descent. When a track is reached, turn left and then immediately right to continue on the path. Shortly afterwards the route emerges at the car park at the start.
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