Hill Walking
The high mountains of Deeside are home to some of Scotland's wildest
and most dramatic scenery. Its windswept summits drop down to sheltered
corries and hidden lochs, set apart on a grand scale by deep broad
glens and the remains of ancient pinewoods. Superb walking can be
found from challenging long days in the main Cairngorm hills, to shorter
easier walks in the lower outlying hills. Most of the popular hills
are climbable in a day, while some of the more remote peaks are best
experienced by spending two or three days out in the hills.
All of the main glens have rough hill tracks leading into the mountains,
and these provide the most practical and easy means of access, particularly
with the use of a mountain bike. Beyond this, access is on foot
by stalkers paths or heathery slopes. The open tops and plateau
areas, where most paths peter out, are often rocky, featureless
and have little shelter. The mountains change dramatically with the seasons, and in bad
weather or mist, at any time of year, a map and compass are essential.
In winter, when the hills are transformed by snow and ice and are
exposed to the full force of winter storms, such places require
sound navigation and mountaineering experience to enjoy them. Books on local hill walks
- Donald Bennet: SMC Hillwalker's Guide: The Munros 1999
- Donald Bennet and Cliff Stone: Scottish Hill Tracks
- Brian Conduit: Aberdeen and Royal Deeside Pathfinder Guide 2001
- Brian Conduit: Cairngorms Pathfinder Guide 1996
- Ernest Cross: Short Walks in the Cairngorms: Luath Press Ltd.
- Ralph Storer: 50 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains: David and
Charles 1998
- Ralph Storer: 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains: Time Warner
Paperbacks 1997
- Hallewell Publications, walks series 4: Deeside
Further information Walking Wild
Munro Magic
Walkingworld
- online walking guide Scottish Mountaineering
Club The
Cairngorm Club Mountain
Bothies Association North East Mountain
Trust Scotways - the Scottish
Rights of Way and Access Society
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