Date/Time

Date(s) - 15/08/2010
12:00 am

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: No
O/S Map Sheet No.: 43 and 44
Grid Ref. Start:
Grid Ref. Finish
Walk (Miles): 14
Walk Hours:
Bus Time to Walk:
Bus Time from Walk:
Departure time from walk:


Walk Notes

Today’s walk takes us from Deeside (Invercauld) over the Lochnagar range of hills to Upper Glen Muick at the Spittal car park. Three routes are suggested below, but for safety reasons, please indicate to the Club’s day organiser which route you will be taking. All three routes commence at the Invercauld Bridge and go on good tracks via Ballochbhuie Forest, passing the Falls of Garbh Allt en route, then following the Feindallacher Burn southwards. The path soon crosses the burn at a small footbridge (NGR 201 870) and climbs up the shoulder of the hillside to the bealach (NGR 212 846) between the two Carn an t-Sagairts. From here your three route options divide:
(1) the most straight forward route is to descend south eastwards from the bealach by way of the Allt an Dubh Loch. There is no definite path but an indistinct track can be found adjacent to old fence posts in the middle of the valley. This eventually leads to a point on the north side of the cascading waterfalls overlooking the Dubh Loch below – a magnificent viewpoint! Follow the line of least resistance (sometimes a path) down towards the beach at the west end of the Dubh Loch. You are now in a spectacular setting with towering cliffs on both sides. Follow a good path along the north side of this loch and eventually descend to Loch Muick. You have the option of taking a path/track on either side of Loch Muick to reach the car park at the Spittal where our bus will be parked. Distance 12 miles
(2) From the bealach (NGR 212 846) head southwards, skirting Carn an t-Sagairt Mor to the col leading to Cairn Bannoch (3319 ft). Follow the ridge southwards from here towards Cairn of Gowal (3224ft), before turning east for Broad Cairn (3273ft). From its summit descend eastwards then southeastwards on a good path to eventually reach the stables above Coire Chash. Either (a) descend the newly refurbished “streak o’ lightning” path to the western shore of Loch Muick and then head north eastwards to the Spittal car park or (b) follow the land rover track which goes high above Loch Muick (with beautiful views of the loch below), before descending steeply by zig zags to the bridge over the Black Burn. From the bridge follow the track north eastwards to the car park at Spittal of Muick. Distance 14 miles
(3) From the bealach (NGR 212 846) pick up the path coming from Carn an t-Sagairt Mor and follow it north eastwards towards The Stuic and its precipitous coire. Continue on this well defined path and climb up to the south top of Lochnagar (Cac Carn Mor – 3772ft). The main top of Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag – 3789 ft) is about 400 yards to the north. There are two alternative descent routes from here. Either (a) follow the path back to the south top, then along the edge of the Northeast corrie and drop down the new “ladder path” to the col below the Meikle Pap and onwards to Allt na Giubhsaich and the Spittal car park, or (b) descend into the valley of the Glas Allt, past its waterfall to reach the Glas Allt Shiel. From here follow the land rover track along the north side of Lock Muick to the car park at the Spittal where the bus will be parked.