Low level walks around Braemar

World famous for its annual Highland Gathering, Braemar lies in a spectacular position, amid magnificent mountain scenery. As popular in winter as it is in summer, the area is renowned for its superb walking, climbing, skiing and country sports, as well as its rich local history and abundant wildlife.

Please Note – a full colour leaflet is available from outlets in and around Braemar with map and route descriptions of each of the following routes.

1) River Dee Walk

Distance 3 miles/4.8km. Time 1.5hours. Grade easy. Waymarked route.
A low-level walk beside two famous rivers with fine open views up the Glen. Walking boots needed.

1. Starting from the car park below the A93 opposite the Invercauld Arms Hotel, cross the footbridge over the Clunie Water and turn right along a rough path by the river.
2. Follow this to its junction with the Dee and continue west alongside the meandering river for 2.6km across pastureland to a bank below the Linn of Dee road at the Pulladh. Either climb up the bank here and return along the road to the village (shorter route), or continue along beside the Dee to the Mill of Coull.
3. Turn left and up the bank, cross the road and follow the track up through scattered Birch wood to join the Blue Route. Turn left again along the road to return down Chapel Brae to the village.
   

2) Morrone Birkwood Walk

Distance 2 miles/3.2km. Time 1.25 hours. Grade easy. Waymarked route.
A relatively easy walk through the magnificent old birch wood of Morrone, a national nature reserve, with fine views of the Cairngorm hills and superb wildlife. Part of the nature reserve is fenced against red deer to encourage regeneration of the woodland. Please keep your dog on a lead.

1. Starting from the duck pond above the village, follow the track taking the left fork up to Tomintoul and after 500m you will reach a fine viewpoint and indicator identifying the peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains.
2. Turn right and follow the level track for 1.9km contouring along the foot of the hill through the birch wood. Continue as far as the ladder stile at a plantation, but turn right to follow a return path through the birch wood past small lochans back to the duck pond.
   

3) Queen’s Drive Walk

Distance 3 miles/4.8km. Time 1.25 hours. Grade moderate. Waymarked route. This walk follows part of a favourite carriage drive used by Queen Victoria.

1. Follow the A93 road south towards Glen Shee for about 1km, and then turn left following the sign to “the Queen’s Drive and Lion’s Face”.
2. Follow this track for about 1.2km, through scattered birch wood with good views over the Clunie Water, past a conifer woodland and lochan on the left (Corrie Feragie).
3. Turn left at the sign marked “Braemar”, to return through a plantation to rejoin the main path leading back down to the village.
   

4) Creag Choinnich

Distance 2 miles/3.2km. Time 1.25 hours. Grade Difficult. Waymarked route.
This walk climbs the short but steep route up Creag Choinnich, and is rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of Glen Clunie, the River Dee and the Cairngorm mountains. Walking boots required!

1. Cross the A93 opposite St. Margaret’s Church and follow Hillside Drive on its left past houses for about 300m.
2. Cross the ladder stile into the wood and follow through mature pine and larch trees to a plantation where the path becomes steeper.
3. Continue up and out of the plantation onto an open heather slope and climb steeply up a stony path to the summit of Creag Choinnich.
4. Return by the same route.
   

5) Lion’s Face and Cromlins Walk

Distance 2.5miles/4km. Time 2 hours. Grade moderate. Waymarked route.
A walk of great historic interest taking in fine views of the village, Braemar Castle, Invercauld House and the upper Strath Dee.

1. Follow the red route and cross the ladder stile into the larch wood, but take the right-hand path up through the plantation for 1km until you meet the Queens drive.
2. Turn left at the sign to reach the viewpoint at the Lions Face rock, and descend the zigzag path to meet the old A93 road. Keeping inside the wood, follow a contoured path left, passing an old depot, staying above the A93 road until you reach a point opposite the entrance to Braemar Castle.
3. Turn left at the sign which leads steeply up to “the Cromlins”, a good viewpoint where a seat offers rest and a display board explains the scene.
4. Continue around the edge of the wood, crossing a stile and into a plantation. At the junction of two paths bear right to rejoin the red route back down and into the village.
   

6) Morrone Hill (859m) Walk

Distance 6 miles/9.6km. Time 4 hrs. Grade difficult.
A superb hill walk with panoramic views of the surrounding hills and glens. This route takes you into open high ground where navigation skills may be needed in poor weather, as well as suitable clothing and equipment.

1. Follow the start of the Blue Route up Chapel Brae as far as the indicator, and then follow the path leading left over a shoulder for 30m when cairns leading up Morrone will be seen.
2. Climb steeply up the hill to a viewpoint at three large cairns and along a plateau to the main summit, where a mast and Radio Relay Station was built in 1969 to supply radio communications for rescues in the Cairngorms.
3. From the summit, follow the vehicle track all the way down to join the minor road in Glen Clunie, and turn left to return to the village past the golf course.