1) Seven Bridges Walk
Distance 5 miles/8 km. Time 2-3 hours. Grade moderate. Waymarked route.
A level route walked anti-clockwise giving views of the attractive hill
scenery around Ballater. Seven bridges in total are crossed along the
way.
- Starting from the village centre follow the Braemar road over
the Railway Bridge (no. 1), turn left at the Auld Kirk Hotel
then right along Dundarroch Road. Go straight along Old Line
Road to an oak wood. Take the old-line path on the right through
the oak woods crossing a footbridge (no.2) and after a further
500m, take a right hand fork uphill to meet the main road at
the Bridge of Gairn (no.3).
- Cross the road here to join a series
of short paths running parallel to the road until directed
back across it 800m later. Shortly after this point, take an
unmade road which leads to a white suspension bridge at Polhollick
(no. 4). Cross the bridge and turn left to follow the track through
conifer woodland to enjoy open views across the river to the
golf course and Ballater.
- Continue along the track to join the
South Deeside Road. Turn left and follow the road to cross
Bridge of Muick (no.5) and after 100m a small bridge over the
Brackley Burn (no.6).
- Continue along the road, taking care on
the bends and return to Ballater over the Dee at Ballater Bridge
(no. 7).
2) Golf Course Walk
Distance 2 miles /3.2 km. Time 1 hour. Grade easy. Waymarked route.
A very attractive short walk on level ground, with fine open views of
the surrounding hills, following the course of the river. Dogs must
be on a lead beside the golf course.
- Starting at Station Square, follow the A93 (SE) along Bridge Street
to Ballater Bridge and follow the green marker to right of bridge
to riverside. Turning right (upstream), follow the path through the
2 gates and caravan site to golf course.
- Continue along riverside path
to picnic site and turn right back towards the village along Old
Line Road and Dundarroch road before turning left up Invercauld road
to A93 Braemar road turning right to return into the village.
3) Craigendarroch Walk
Distance 2 miles/ 3.2 km. Grade difficult (200m ascent). Waymarked route.
A variety of very attractive paths lead around the oak wood of Craigendarroch
and up to the top, all just 5 minutes walk from the village centre.
The summit offers panoramic views of Lochnagar, the Coyles of Muick
and the village of Ballater itself, as well as views of the Dee valley.
Care is needed on the steep rocky section to the top.
- From Station Square take the A93 Braemar road west for 400m and
turn right into “Craigendarroch Walk”. Follow the path
into the wood beside the first house on the left sign-posted “To
Top and Round”.
- In about 50m the path divides, bear left to follow
the path round the west side of the hill, climbing gradually. Bear
right at the fork sign-posted “To
Top” and climb steeply to the cairn at the summit.
- Descend
following the way-markers to the northeast and rejoin the circular
route around the hill. Here you can turn left to follow the path
round the north side above the pass of Ballater, or turn right
to follow the path by the east route back into Ballater.
4) Sgor Buidhe Walk
Distance 5 miles/ 8 km. Time 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours. Grade difficult
(270m ascent). Waymarked route. A splendid panoramic view of surrounding
hills and the Dee valley, reached by way of a climb under the brow of
Sgor Buidhe to the radio mast above.
- Starting from the platform behind Station Square follow the yellow
way marker up through the houses and across the road to the “Cinder
Path” behind the recreation ground pavilion.
- Continue on the
path to Morven Way and onto the road through the Pass of Ballater.
Turning right (E) go 350m, then take a track on the left (NE) and
climb steeply up through forest and then moorland to the viewpoint
near the radio mast.
- Return by the same route.
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