Tarfside to Aboyne – The Fungle

AHWC Tarfside to Aboyne via The Fungle Road
We again return to Glen Esk to walk the route of an old drove road from Tarfside northwards to Aboyne on Deeside.
This walk is a through route therefore members requiring a shorter walk should stay on the bus to travel to the finishing point at Aboyne, where a number of walks can be undertaken, including a circular walk around Bell Woods.
The main walk starts in the small hamlet of Tarfside in Glen Esk (NGR492798) where a Right of Way signpost indicates the route of the Fungle Road.
Head northwards, up the east side of the Water of Tarf to soon cross the Burn of Tennent to reach Shinfur. We continue northwards crossing the Burn of Clearach and ascend the hill on the east side of the Burn of Keddloch to reach a junction of paths at NGR499853. The lefthand path follows the Firmounth Road into Glen Tanner BUT our track on the Fungle Road is the righthand path passing between Tampie (723m) and Mudlee Bracks (688m) and descends into the Forest of Birse area.
We continue northwards, crossing the Water of Feugh and skirt the west side of Birse Castle to enter an area known as the “Gwaves”ravine. Ascend on the west side to reach a stone shooting lodge (NGR 515921) and again continue northwards passing to the west of Carnferg (525m). At approx. NGR 517937, follow the lefthand branch of the path through the forest to follow the Allt Dinnie burn and reach a building called “The Guard” at a junction of paths. Take the middle path heading northwards which leads to a stone seat bearing the inscription “Rest and be Thankful”. Continue northwards to arrive at Parkside and the west end of BIrsemore Loch. In a short distance our route emerges onto the B976 South Deeside Road at Birsemore. Crossover the River Dee at the bridge to reach our bus which will be parked near the Boat Inn at Aboyne (NGR 5249 Download file: Fungle-Road-from-Tarfside-to-Aboyne-GPX-file.gpx30).
Walking Distance 13.5 Miles (22Kms).

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or GPS device with o/s maps.
In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge should be notified if possible before the emergency services are contacted on 999.
Committee member in charge of today’s walk is Frank Kelly Mobile No 07821631362.