Keiloch to Crathie via Ballochbuie Forest – NB Clocks Change to BST (GMT +1) i.e. Forward 1 Hour

Today’s main walk takes you through Ballochbuie Forest on the Balmoral Estate & also goes a little into the hills to the South at Gelder Shiel before returning to the forest. Once there you have the option of climbing two cairns – Prince Albert’s & Princess Beatrice’s – or you could miss them out &  just carry on through to Easter Balmoral before going on to the finish at Crathie car park. The shorter walk stays at a lower level continuing through the Ballochbuie Forest passing Balmoral Castle on the way to the car park. Warning:  There are many tracks in this forest & it is very easy to get lost so careful navigation is required & please stick together to minimise the risk of losing your way.

Walk 1. Main Walk – Keiloch to Crathie via Gelder Shiel

From Keiloch head Southwards down the access road, cross the A93 & walk along the path through the trees towards the river Dee. Just before the river  turn right & head towards the Old Brig o’ Dee (Invercauld Bridge), cross it & head South East until reaching a junction of tracks at NGR 188 906. Head straight on (the centre track) ignoring the tracks on the left & the right (those taking the shorter walk go left here). Head uphill  South Eastwards eventually crossing the Glenbeg Burn & continue on to a junction at NGR 199 898 & go through the large gate off to the right. Sign on gate reads “Caledonian Pine Forest Regeneration Project”. Continue uphill  SSE towards the Garbh Allt Burn – you can take a short detour left at a bend in the track to visit the falls & the green metal footbridge & return to the main track again. Shortly after the turn off to the waterfalls take the track off to the left (NGR 198 897) & continue uphill for about 600 m to a junction at NGR 202 893. Take the track off to the left (there is a dead tree trunk lying to left of this track with a conifer sapling apparently growing out of this dead tree). The track heads in an Easterly direction & narrows to a single track at the footbridge over the Feindallacher Burn. The track through the heather is overgrown & indistinct in places but easy to follow. There is no footbridge over the Allt Lochan Nan Eun (although it is marked on the 1:25,000 OS maps) however there are stepping stones to aid the crossing. The path then ascends & bends North Eastwards to a ford, go right here to head Eastwards passing Cnap a’ Choire Bhuidhe. The path then bends North Eastwards passing Ripe Hill & eventually meeting the bridge over the Gelder Burn. About 0.5 Km further on there is a junction at NGR 255 907 where a track heads South to Gelder Shiel bothy. If you have time, a visit is recommended as it is just a short journey Southwards. It provides good shelter, has a toilet at back & is a great picnic spot. (Note: You will need around 1 hour 45 minutes to walk from the bothy to the finish so please take this into account when deciding whether to go to the bothy or not). From the bothy return to the track, turn right to gain the main land rover track which heads Northwards into the forest. Once in the forest you have the option of taking in the two cairns or just carrying on before turning right & heading North Eastwards along the Dubh-chlais track to Eater Balmoral.  If taking in the cairns there is a sign for Prince Albert’s cairn off to the right (Eastwards). Follow the track which bends Northwards to the top then carry on North Eastwards to Princess Beatrice’s cairn before dropping Northwards to join the main track from the Dubh-chlais. The route heads North East through Easter Balmoral towards the minor road to the Royal Lochnagar distillery where you turn left & head downhill to the B976. Turn left here to head towards the entrance to Balmoral Castle where the route turns right to cross the bridge & on to the car park where the bus will be waiting at NGR 264 949.

Walk distance: 10.9 miles/17.4 Km; Ascent1,335 feet/407 m

Download file: t310661333_keiloch-to-crathie-via.gpx

 

 

Walk 2. Shorter Low Level Walk – Keiloch to Crathie via Balmoral Castle

Route as for walk 1 until you reach the junction of tracks at NGR 188 906. At the junction take the left hand track & move Eastwards with the River Dee on your LHS. At NGR 197 904 cross the bridge over the Glenbeg Burn & head Northwards in the direction of the suspension bridge, crossing the Garbh Allt on the way. Don’t cross the suspension bridge but head in an Easterly direction passing a dam on the way. Continue NNE passing Connachat Cottage & head Northwards then North Eastwards moving towards the River Dee again. The track passes through Invergelder & then West Lodge.

Note: Anyone wishing to extend the walk could take the track South from West Lodge to access the Cairns. There’s Princess Alice’s cairn & also Princess Helena’s cairn. These lead onto various other cairns, if you so wish. After climbing the cairns head Northwards in the direction of Balmoral Castle. If you are intending to walk the cairns please advise Gilbert whilst on the bus before you set off.

From West Lodge the tract continues North Eastwards in the direction of Balmoral Castle & on towards the bridge & the car park.

Walk Distance: 7.2 miles/11.5 Km (excluding the cairns); Ascent: 115 feet/35 m. (excl. cairns)

Download file: t310581061_keiloch-to-crathie-2025.gpx

 

Bus Departs at 4:30 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 with OS maps. In the event of an emergency arising the person in charge of the walk today should be notified, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999.

Committee member in charge – Gilbert McCurdy; Mobile Number: 07807240817

 Cancellations/Waiting List: It is important to contact Gilbert (Mobile number 07807240817) if you cannot attend & have to cancel your booking. The bus is often fully booked which means any cancelled seats can be re-allocated to those persons on a waiting list. Anyone unsuccessful in booking a seat should contact Gilbert who will put them on a waiting list.