Glen Drumtochty/Strathfinella Circular

Aberdeen Hillwalking Club
3rd April 2022 Bus departs Aberdeen at 8.00 am
Strathfinella/Glen Drumtochty circular
O.S. Map 45 – Stonehaven & Banchory

The walk takes us southwestwards from Aberdeen and Stonehaven to just north of the Howe of the Mearns near Auchenblae.
The suggested route is a circular one of 11 miles. Members who require a shorter walk should indicate their intentions to the member in charge of the bus. Note that due to recent storm damage there may be some tracks blocked with fallen trees, so be careful and allow time for possible detours when planning another route. Only the described walk has been checked for accessibility.

The walk commences at the parking area near Drumtochty Castle (NO 696 798). From here, walk eastwards along the Glen Drumtochty Road for about 500m. At about NO 702 798, enter Garrold Wood and follow the narrow forest track uphill until you reach a wide track where you turn right. Follow the main track passing below electric power lines until a junction at NO 705 797. Take the left hand path and continue southwards through Drumelzie Wood to another split in the path at NO 710 779 (ignoring paths going off to both left and right, en route). At this point, continue westwards and then northwards. The route soon swings in a big loop and at NO 703 781 heads south and then southwestwards, passing a split at NO 703 777 where the right hand path is taken, to eventually reach another split in the path at NO 695 774. Head straight on (westwards) and after about 450 m the path bends northwards then loops round and heads southwards at NO 687 781 to reach a junction of paths at NO 681 771. Continue westwards through Hill Wood and after about 400 m take the grassy path off to the right where the route sweeps northwards and eventually along the edge of Strathfinella Hill forest to a turning point at around NO 685 783, where the track heads northeastwards passing spot height 414m to reach a junction at NO 699 788. Take the right hand track here, then soon turn right again at NO 701 787 approx. to follow a narrow, muddy bike track (ignoring track to left) and come out onto a wide track. Turn left at this wide track to head south eastwards skirting in a loop around Black Hill to eventually head north and rejoin the incoming track at NO 707 793. Then retrace your steps back to the start point at NO 696 798 where the bus will be parked. Walking distance approx. 10.5 miles. (17Km).Total ascent approx. 1,740 ft.(530 m)

Bus departs for Aberdeen at 3.30 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.
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.
The Committee Member in charge of today’s walk is Janet Rickard. Mobile No. 07919 587428
Please note that the route download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (OS & Outdoor Active).

Download file: glen drumtochtyOutdoorActiveMap16thMarch2022.gpx

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