Tarfside to Glen Tanar – Firmouth Road

Date/Time

Date(s) - 14/05/2023
8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: If Time Permits
O/S Map Sheet No.: 44
Grid Ref. Start: 492 797
Grid Ref. Finish 480 965
Walk (Miles): 13
Walk Hours: 6.5
Bus Time to Walk:2.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 1.5 hrs
Departure time from walk: 5:00 pm

Walk Notes

        AHWC                                          Tarfside to Glen Tanar ( Firmounth Road)

14^th May 2023                                     O S Map No; 44  (Ballater and Glen Clova )  8.00 am Start   

   Today’s walk sees us return to Glen Esk, one of the Angus Glens, to walk over an old drove road, used some 200-300 years ago, linking Deeside and Angus. This road was used to transport cattle over the hills to the Trysts (or Cattle Markets) of Laurencekirk, Crieff and Falkirk.

We commence our walk at the small village of Tarfside (NGR 492 797) and follow the Fungle road northwards for approx. 4 miles passing Shinfur (enroute) to a split in the paths (NGR 499 852). We take the left-hand option (the right-hand path continues on the Fungle track towards the Forest of Birse and Aboyne via the Gwaves).

Our path however climbs northwards to Tampie (723m) and onwards to Gannoch(731m) the highest point of the day. From this summit continue on the Firmounth Road, passing the east side of Hill of St Colm and onwards via the headwaters of Burn of Auldmad and Burn of Corn to eventually pass on the east side of Craigmahandle (574m). We continue northwards entering Glen Tanar Forest and, descending into the glen passing the viewpoint above Knockie Bridge and heading towards St Elmo’s Chapel (NGR 479 961). Continue to the stone hump-back bridge near the Braeloine Visitor Centre and cross this bridge over the Water of Tanar to reach the car park where our bus will be parked (NGR 480 965).

Walking Distance = Approx. 13 miles (21 Kms)

Download file: Firmounth Road.gpx

For those requiring a shorter walk, the bus will be travelling from Tarfside to Glen Tanar Visitor Centre car park, after dropping off the main route walkers. A number of low-level walks can be made in Glen Tanar, though perhaps distance may be limited depending on time available before the bus departs home to Aberdeen at 5.00pm

Suggested low level walks are;

1. From the Visitor Centre car park, cross the hump-back bridge and head towards St Elmo’s Chapel (NGR 479 961). Follow the route south and cross over to the north side of the Water of Tanar by the Knockie Bridge, (near GlenTanar House) and proceed up the glen for approx. 1.5 miles to reach another stone bridge (NGR 462 942) which crosses the Water of Tanar. Cross this bridge and continue to a junction of paths (NGR467 937) where you take the left-hand track, returning to the south side of the glen and head north towards GlenTanar House and St Elmo’s Chapel before reaching the Visitor Centre car park.

Distance= approx. 5 miles (8Kms)                    

2. Alternatively, from the 2^nd stone bridge (as above) continue on the north side of the Water of Tanar to reach the Half Way Hut (NGR 438 932) and return back down the glen by the outward route or cross over the 2^nd stone bridge to the south side of Glen Tanar to eventually reach St Elmo’s Chapel and the car park as above. Distance= approx. 7.5 miles (12 Kms)

Download file: Glen Tanar Route 1 and 2.gpx

3. From the car park head towards St Elmo’s Chapel and on towards the View Point above Knockie Bridge on the Firmounth Road. Continue south along the track to reach a junction near the Burn of Skinna (NGR 483 930). Then head uphill on a good track which swings north around the east side of Baudy Meg (488m) and onwards to a junction of tracks. Take the left-hand track to pass on the west side of Black Craig and Red Craig descending through the forest to reach the main track on the south side of Glen Tanar. Turn left here and head back to the Visitor Centre car park. Distance = 7.5 miles (12 Kms)

Download file: Glen Tanar Route 3.gpx

Bus departs 5.00pm for Aberdeen at 7.00pm

 

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and /or 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 Frank Kelly Mobile No 07821631362

 

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