Glen Tanar Circular

Glen Tanar Circular 

17th October 2021      Bus departs Aberdeen at 09.00am

O.S. Map  44  Ballater, Glen Clova & surrounding area

Route 1:- Half Way Hut. From the bus cross the bridge over the Water of Tanar and turn right, follow the track which soon passes St.Lesmo’s Chapel on your right. Just after the chapel at a T junction turn right and continue to a bridge which re-crosses the river Tanar at NGR 478 953. Cross the bridge and immediately turn left with a trout loch on your right. Continue on the track, which follows the Water of Tanar on your left, ignoring tracks off right and left, to the “Half Way Hut” at NGR 436 931, a small wooden shelter and a convenient spot for lunch. Return on the same track to NGR 461 941 where a track goes off to the right and crosses a bridge over the Water of Tanar. Continue to cross another bridge over the Water of Gairney and immediately turn left. This track now follows the Water of Tanar downstream on your left to join up with our outward track at NGR 478 953. Follow the track back to the bus parked at NGR 480 966.

Walking distance approx.  9 miles/14.5 km & approx. 200 m of ascent

Please note that the route download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (e.g. ViewRanger)

Route 2:- Baudy Meg (488m). From the bus, follow the route as above to NGR 479 958 where a path goes off to the left. Continue to NGR 481 951 and take the track on the right. Head up the Firmounth Road, above the Burn of Skinna, to the edge of the forest. At a junction in the path NGR 483 930, go left and head E’wards through the forest where we soon veer N’wards NGR 496 929 along the east side of Baudy Meg. Climb to the summit just above this path. Descend from the summit, back to the path and continue N’wards. At a junction NGR 498 942, head NE’wards for about 200m and go left at a junction of paths, past the west side of Black Craig & Red Craig & into the forest. Continue through the forest & take the left fork at a y branch to eventually reach a wide track on the edge of the forest coming in from Bridge of Ess. Turn left here and head back to St.Lesmo’s chapel and onwards to the stone bridge beside the car park at the Visitor Centre.

 Walking distance approx. 7.5 miles/12km & approx. 350 m of ascent.

Please note that the route download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (e.g. ViewRanger)

Alternative Shorter Route details.

For anyone requiring a shorter walk they could follow Route 1 but instead of going as far as the Half Way Hut turn off left at NGR 461 941and follow Route 1 instructions from this point.

Walking distance approx.  5 miles/8 km.

Bus departs 3.30pm for Aberdeen at 5.00pm

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or a GPS device with OS maps.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge today should be notified, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999.

Committee member in charge of today’s walk is Alan Wallace.