Low level walks around Dinnet and Loch Kinord

The small village of Dinnet lies at the eastern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park and on the edge of the Muir of Dinnet and Loch Kinord National Nature Reserve. It is well situated to provide a range of walking opportunities. The area offers Iron Age settlements, a crannog, Celtic cross slab and sites of medieval battles; a historically rich seam can be mined here transporting the walker back in time.

Distance 1.3 miles /2 km. Time 1 hour. Grade easy/moderate.
An attractive short walk to the famous glacial feature known as the ‘Vat’, then continuing up to the view-point in the forest with superb panoramic views of the Dinnet Lochs and the National Nature Reserve.

1. This walk is described from the Car Park at the Visitor Centre, which is 1.5 miles from the A93 along the B9119 signposted to Tarland or Strathdon. The centre has car parking for disabled and toilets.
2. The centre has been used as a home and tearoom in the past but now provides excellent interpretation on the natural heritage of the surrounding area.
3. This route passes by the front of the centre, some mature Douglas Fir and the toilet block before heading towards the Vat.
4. This all abilities path, through mixed woodland of predominantly pine and birch with good numbers of rowan, now crosses a bridge over the Vat Burn. After another 150m, do not cross this bridge but keep left.
5. After another 75m you will reach the entrance to the Vat, a significant glacial feature known as a Moulin and possibly the best example of its kind in the UK. Take care on ‘entering’ the Vat. A huge waterfall from inside a glacier of the last ice age around 12,000 years ago, gouged out this huge bowl or Vat. Try to imagine the forces of nature required to create this through a bedrock of granite.
6. On return from the Vat look high up on your left where there is a fine stand of Aspen.
7. Cross the bridge, the path here now is rougher and ascends for 30m. As you are heading up through the pinewood, take a moment, STOP, now look and listen for the Coal Tits, this is a popular and favourite habitat. Soon you will reach a junction, turn right. (The route to the left follows the description for WALK 3 ‘Burn O Vat to Lochhead’ Circular Walk)
8. After 100m with steep ground falling away to your right and left, you are now walking on an ‘esker’. Another of the many glacial features that make this walk a special and interesting place. Full details of the esker can be found in the Visitor Centre.
9. On reaching the viewpoint there is a fine view of Loch Kinord and the Dee Valley. The crannog and Castle Island on Loch Kinord explains why this area had been a favourite place for the early settlers. How far removed their simple existence must have been from ours of today.
10. Follow the path back to the start point. Dinnet and Cambus o May are well served by Hotels and coffee shops to complete your day.
    

2) Burn o’ Vat to Cambus o’ May Circular walk

Distance 5.5 miles/9km. Time 3 hours. Grade moderate.
An interesting circuit in anti-clockwise direction through the beautiful pine forests to Cambus o’ May, then a short section on the old railway line to the historic Victoria Bridge overlooking the famous river Dee, and back along the quiet B9119 road.

1. This walk is described from the Car Park at the Visitor Centre, which is 1.5 miles from the A93 along the B9119 signposted to Tarland or Strathdon. The centre has car parking for disabled and toilets.
2. The centre has been used as a home and as a tearoom in the past but now provides excellent interpretation on the natural heritage of the surrounding area.
3. This route passes by the front of the centre, some mature Douglas Fir and the toilet block before heading towards the Vat.
4. This all abilities path, through mixed woodland of predominantly pine and birch with good numbers of rowan, now crosses a bridge over the Vat Burn. After another 150m, do not cross this bridge but keep left.
5. After another 75m you will reach the entrance to the Vat, a significant glacial feature known as a Moulin and possibly the best example of its kind in the UK. Take care on ‘entering’ the Vat. A huge waterfall from inside a glacier of the last ice age around 12,000 years ago, gouged out this huge bowl or Vat. Try to imagine the forces of nature required to create this through a bedrock of granite.
6. On return from the Vat look high up on your left where there is a fine stand of Aspen.
7. Cross the bridge, the path here now is rougher and ascends for 30m. As you are heading up through the pinewood, take a moment, STOP, now look and listen for the Coal Tits, this is a popular and favourite habitat. Soon you will reach a junction, turn left. (The route to the right now follows the description for WALK 1 ‘Burn O Vat’ Circular Walk)
8. The path now is slightly rougher and steeper and climbs through the woodland. The path here has some historical significance as it follows the route of the old public water supply for Dinnet, extracting water from springs high up on Culblean. Look out for some remnants of pipework.
9. At the junction with the track turn left for Cambus O May. (The route to the right now follows the description for WALK 3 ‘Burn O Vat to Lochhead’ Circular Walk)
10. Soon you will cross the Vat Burn. If you do this route in reverse it could pose difficulties in getting back to your transport as this small stream can be difficult to cross after heavy rainfall. You will cross the boundary between an SNH managed NNR and a Forestry Commission managed commercial woodland. A major objective of the Commission for Cambus O May is public access and enjoyment.
11. A good track winds ands sweeps its way into the heart of the Forest, dulling the drone of the A93. Take time to look and listen for the many species of birds that make Cambus their home.
12. Keeping on the main track it now widens to become a well prepared Forest Drive, assisting in the extraction of harvested timber. Follow this for 700m until you reach an Orienteering Post no.18 C/D, after another 100m leave the main Forest Drive and take the grassy track on your left. On reaching the access road turn left, cross a busy and fast section of the A93 and come to the Old Line, turn left for Dinnet.
13. The walk is now following the Dee downstream where there is a diverse riverine habitat of willow, birch, aspen, rowan and the occasional oak. This is important in stabilising the bank and also important for the fishings as the cover keeps the water cool increasing the amount of oxygenated water, assisting the salmon in particular.
14. Pass Cutaway Cottage, through a gate to the white suspension bridge originally erected in 1905 but reconstructed in 1988.
15. After 50m leave the Old Line by some steps on your left, through the Car Park, pass the Interpretation Panel and proceed right, along the A93 for 500m until the sign for Burn O Vat Visitor Centre, turn left.
16. Your start point is now 1.5 miles along the quiet Tarland road, the B9119, through the magnificent birchwood of the Muir of Dinnet NNR.
    

3) Burn o’ Vat to Lochhead Circular Walk

Distance 6 miles/10 km. Time 3 hours. Grade moderate.
A clockwise route gently climbing above the Burn o’ Vat through wonderful pine forest, and with magnificent views of the valley on ascent towards Lochhead.

1. This walk is described from the Car Park at the Visitor Centre, which is 1.5 miles from the A93 along the B9119 signposted to Tarland or Strathdon. The centre has car parking for disabled and toilets.
2. The centre has been used as a home and tearoom in the past but now provides excellent interpretation on the natural heritage of the surrounding area.
3. This route passes by the front of the centre, some mature Douglas Fir and the toilet block before heading towards the Vat.
4. This all abilities path, through mixed woodland of predominantly pine and birch with good numbers of rowan, now crosses a bridge over the Vat Burn. After another 150m, do not cross this bridge but keep left.
5. After another 75m you will reach the entrance to the Vat, a significant glacial feature known as a Moulin and possibly the best example of its kind in the UK. Take care on ‘entering’ the Vat. A huge waterfall from inside a glacier of the last ice age around 12,000 years ago, gouged out this huge bowl or Vat. Try to imagine the forces of nature required to create this through a bedrock of granite.
6. On return from the Vat look high up on your left where there is a fine stand of Aspen.
7. Cross the bridge, the path here now is rougher and ascends for 30m. As you are heading up through the pinewood, take a moment, STOP, now look and listen for the Coal Tits, this is a popular and favourite habitat. Soon you will reach a junction, turn left. (The route to the right follows the description for WALK 1 ‘Burn O Vat’ Circular Walk)
8. The path now is slightly rougher and steeper and climbs through the woodland. The path here has some historical significance as it follows the route of the old public water supply for Dinnet, extracting water from springs high up on Culblean. Look out for some remnants of pipework. At the junction with the track turn right for Lochhead. (The route to the left follows the description for WALK 2 ‘Burn O Vat to Cambus O May’ Circular Walk)
9. After 100m look back and despite the transmission lines it provides a grand view of the Coyles of Muick and Lochnagar.
10. The structure of the wood now changes from a mixed woodland to a conifer woodland of Scots Pine.
11. As you descend towards Lochhead, the hills of Pressendye and Pittenderich dominate the skyline, as they guard the Howe O Cromar. The Howe, with its may land uses; forestry, farming and recreation, provides you with a rich mosaic landscape of varying texture, shape and colours.
12. On reaching Lochhead and the B9119, the Burn O Vat Centre is signposted one mile. Turn right on this quiet but narrow road where care should be taken. Pass Lochhead Croft and Lochhead Cottage and 50m on your left there is an entrance to Muir of Dinnet NNR, take this grassy track back into the birchwood.
13. Follow this grassy track for a further 250M and you come to a sharp bend to your right. Stop here and take time to smell the bog myrtle and admire Loch Davan, this is an excellent spot to observe wildfowl and the winter geese arriving.
14. After another 150m, as the trees thin, you will pass through an old fence line taking the right hand fork.
15. After another 150M turn right on a path which is posted and arrowed. Soon you will come to a small car park with a cairn to commemorate the creation of the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve and the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977. It was unveiled on the 19th Sept by HRH Duke of Edinburgh. Cut across the car park do not go on to the road but take a path which leads to a grassy track back to the Burn O Vat Visitor Centre car park

4) The Old and New Kinord Circular Walk

Distance 4 miles/6km. Time 1.5 hours. Grade easy.
An attractive walk between the Dinnet Lochs, famous for their wildfowl and historic interest, including a crannog, stone cross and hut circles.

1. This walk is described from the centre of Dinnet, a delightful Deeside village and an excellent base for walking on Deeside. Take the A97 signposted Huntly or Logie Coldstone.
2. One mile on your left is an unmarked track which leads you through an old Birchwood to rough parking. Follow the track and sign to LOCH KINORD.
3. Passing the steading of New Kinord on your left, the track follows on for about 40m, through the kissing gate to an old magnificent Aspen/Ash woodland. This is a fine stand of Aspen and you should take a moment, close your eyes and allow the breeze to ‘tremble’ the Aspen leaves.
4. After 400m, at a solitary, lonesome Scots Pine, a short detour is possible down to the shoreline of Loch Kinord. This gives a fine view of the crannog, evidence of mans long association with this area. During June and July, however, it is the osprey that can be seen fishing to provide for its family. The loch side path is very rough and it is advisable to return to the main track.
5. The view ahead now is of Culblean (604M), site of a famous Scots victory on St. Andrews Day 30th November 1335, one of the significant battles of the Second Wars of Independence.
6. The track now turns sharply to your right, Loch Kinord is behind you as you head for Old Kinord and Loch Davan. After 200m the track forks, follow the right fork for another 150m to Old Kinord.
7. As the track sweeps right, peer through the heather, bracken and birchwood to catch glimpses of Loch Davan on your left. Loch Davan is a RAMSAR site, an internationally important wetland area, particularly for the number of Greylag Geese that roost on the Loch on their arrival from Iceland. During October and November the early morning departure and early evening arrival of the geese is worthy of a special visit.
8. The grassy track now passes through thick birchwood giving ideal habitat conditions for the moth, Kentish Glory. Look out for this species during April and May.
9. After 500m take the right fork back into the birchwood, regain the tarmac road at the Keepers Cottage and turn left back to the parking area.

5) Black Moss Walk

Distance 5 miles/8 km. Time 3.5 hours. Grade difficult (300m ascent).
A energetic climb on open moorland up to Black Moss with unrivalled views of the Dee valley and the hill of Morven.

1. From the centre of Dinnet cross the bridge over the Dee and turn right to join the South Deeside Road, the B976. 2.5 miles further on you will find some safe and appropriate off road parking at Inchmarnock, please ensure that you do not block gates or drives.
2. Cross back over the bridge and turn right and then follow the metalled road for 300m up to Ballaterach Farm. The path goes through sheep grazing before skirting a block of trees on the right. This mix of Pine and Larch is prime Black Grouse habitat.
3. The path follows a track up the ridgeline with the Pollagach Burn down to your right. Stop here and looking over your shoulder this is a fantastic vantage point to admire the Howe of Cromar and the Dinnet lochs of Kinord and Davan. This can be a desolate and barren stretch, particularly in poor visibility. The path becomes faint, but soon you will come to a well-made track, turning right takes you down to Etnach and upper Glen Tanar but to return to the car you turn LEFT.
4. You will now proceed down open country with spectacular and typical views of the Dee valley. This mix of woodland types and farming and moorland habitat giving a distinctive landscape.
5. Passing a block of trees the route continues down to Tombae and Greystones and for the next km can be soft in wet weather.
6. On reaching the B976 turn left and 1km further on you will return to the parking at Inchmarnock.