Baddoch to Braemar – An Socath & Sgor Mor

AHWC                                      Baddoch to Braemar – An Socath & Sgor Mor; Morrone & The Lion’s Face

28th May 2023                        O.S. Map 44  (Ballater & Glen Clova)  Bus Departs Aberdeen at 8:00 am

Today’s walks are all around the Braemar area with a choice of three walks which should provide something of interest for everyone.

Walk 1 – An Socath – 26km / 16 miles
A through walk for strong walkers starting from Baddoch to Braemar taking in the Munro An Socath and the Corbett Morrone.

1. From the starting point (NGR 138 831) go through the gate, cross the bridge and follow the path that heads South West for 6km to NGR 100 789 to where the path fades and another small path heads North West.
2. Climb North West past some grouse butts until you reach the plateau (NGR 091 800) between the two tops of An Socach. To reach the main top (944m), head West for a kilometre and you will reach the summit (NGR 079 799). From this summit, retrace your steps to where you came up on to the plateau and then head North East towards the secondary summit (938m) (NGR 098 805).
3. From this point onward stay up on high ground, head Northwards past an unnamed 855m top (NGR 101 818) and then head North East to Sgor Mor (887m) (NGR 115 825).
4. From this summit, head North to reach Carn Ghriogair, then North East along the edge of Coire na Lairige to the top of Creag a’Mhadaidh (804m) (NGR 123 845). Continue to Carn na Drochaide (830m) and follow the high ground again to meet a wide track coming up from Auchallater to eventually reach Morrone with the transmitter tower on top (859m).
5. Descend on a good path NE’wards to soon reach Braemar, where our bus will be parked (NGR 150 914)

Walk 2 – Morrone 12km / 7.5miles
A circular route from/to Braemar taking in the Corbett Morrone.

1. Head out from the bus drop off point on to Mar Road which then leads on to Chapel Brae which you continue to follow until the end. Go past the duck pond on your left, follow the path that veers left and then go through a gate (NGR 141 909)
2. Continue uphill past Woodhill house (NGR 142 907) and continue straight on ignoring a path on the right to end up at a viewpoint and bench. Continue on and where paths cross (NGR 143 905) go straight across the path following the signs to Morrone.
3. Around 300 metres ahead there is another gate (NGR 143 902) – go through this and follow the marked path upwards. Another 1.3km further on you should come across the “Five Cairns”. With the radio mast as your marker keep following the path and continue on to this, the summit of Morrone.
4. To descend, head South West and stay on the path as it turns East. Descend until you join the Old Military Road and head left (NGR 152 882) . Walk North along the Old Military Road which has the Clunie river on your right and will take you back into Braemar and the bus pick up point. (NGR 150 914)

Walk 3 – Lions face 6.5km / 4 miles
A circular clockwise route from/to Braemar to see Braemar Castle and the Lions Face rock.

1. Leave the car park eastwards on Invercauld Road and cross the bridge. Go through the smaller car park to then go past the church and school on Hillside Road until it curves right then go through the gate.
2. Follow the path ahead until you reach a signpost, turn North to reach a viewpoint indicator (NGR 156 919). Continue North until you reach the road.
3. Here (NGR 156 922) you can carefully walk very briefly West on the road verge to visit the grounds of Braemar Castle if they are open. Once complete, head back East and follow the green sign post to continue the Lions Face walk.
4. Follow the path through the trees until it curves round and emerges at a small disused quarry. Continue South East until the path turns West at NGR 171 916.
5. Continue West under the crag known as the Lion’s Face. This can be difficult to pick out due to trees and the exact angle to see it. The path turns South West before turning North West at NGR 163 915. Follow the path down Queen’s Drive track until you reach the junction where you entered the forest walk (NGR 154 913)
6. Exit the forest and follow Hillside Road back through the small car park, the bridge and back to the main bus card park where you started.

Bus departs Braemar at 7:00 pm to arrive Aberdeen around 9:00 pm.

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. Please note also that the route download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (e.g. in Outdooractive, OS or similar).

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 David Cruickshank.     Mobile No. 07884695755