Ballater Walking Festival Essential Information

Sunday 17 th May Strenuous Walk 1: East Glenshee Munros Distance 19km/12mls Ascent 1020m/3350ft Walking time approx 8 hrs Map Landranger 43/44 Departure 7 am Start NO 145 806 Finish NO 145 806 4 Munros – Carn an Tuirc 1018m. Cairn of Claise 1062m. Tolmount 958m. Tom Buidhe 957m. A climb, steep and rocky in places, takes us to the summit of Carn an Turic, which is a fine viewpoint. From here we pick up a good track across a hill to reach Cairn of Claise. We leave the summit heading in a direct line across the peat hags for Tolmount, which affords impressive views down to Glen Callater. From here, Tom Buidhe is only a short distance away. We return over moorland terrain around the ridge around Garbh-choire down to Sron na Gaoithe and a final steep descent back towards the glen. Terrain: Intermittent hill paths connect the Munro summits with a mixture of heather, grass, boulders and peat hags. Medium Walk 2: Carn na Drochaide Distance 11km/7mls Ascent 590m/1965ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 9 am Start NO 116 908 Finish NO 116 908 From the Linn of Quoich, we will follow the path leading up past the Punch Bowl and into the picturesque Glen Quoich. There follows a climb on rough ground up Carn na Criche and on to the summit of Carn na Drochaide. We will return via Allanaquoich back to the Punch Bowl. This walk offers stunning views of the River Dee and the area north of Braemar. Easy Walk 3: Braemar and the Queen’s Drive Distance 10km/6mls Ascent 100m/430ft Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 10 am Start NO 152 913 Finish NO 152 913 Starting in the centre of Braemar, we will visit the ruins of Kildrochit Castle before heading past the refurbished Fife Arms to the Duke of Rothesay Pavilion and the Games Park. From there we will go up to the duck pond before walking down to the River Clunie and over the Society Bridge to join the Queen’s Drive. Continuing past the Lion’s Face, we will return to Braemar via the Castle.