Ballater Walking Festival Essential Information

Friday 22 nd May Strenuous Walk 16: Culardoch and Carn Liath from Keiloch Distance 24km/15mls Ascent 850m/2790ft Walking time approx 8.5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 8 am Start NO 188 912 Finish NO 118 912 These two rounded Corbetts on the eastern side of the Cairngorms are easily climbed together. Culardoch offers extensive views across much of Aberdeenshire, whereas Carn Liath provides a superb vantage point for admiring the granite tors of nearby Ben Avon. Leaving Keiloch on good tracks, we climb to the top of the Bealach Dearg, which is the high point on the old drove road between Invercauld and Tomintoul. Further ascent takes us to Culardoch, then a heathery traverse to Carn Liath before a pleasant descent back to the tracks of Invercauld. This route may be boggy in places. Medium Walk 17: Craig Vallich and Pannanich Hill Distance 18km/11mls Ascent 430m/1420ft Walking time approx 6 hrs Map Landranger 44 Departure 9 am Start NO 370 958 Finish NO 370 958 Leaving Ballater by the Royal Bridge, we take the new woodland path skirting Glenmuick House to the Bridge of Muick. From there, we follow the track known as Pollagach Road for a steepish climb up to Craig Vallich. We then continue to Pannanich Hill before descending into the forest, passing the old curling ponds and emerging back at the Royal Bridge. Easy Walk 18: Mar Lodge to Keiloch Distance 11km/7mls Ascent minimal Walking time approx 5 hrs Map Landranger 43 Departure 10 am Start NO 102 895 Finish NO 188 914 From the Victoria Bridge, we cross the River Dee and walk towards Mar Lodge, built for Princess Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. We will join the minor road to the Linn of Quoich and cross the new bridge which reopened at the end of 2019. During the floods of 2016, the river changed its course leaving the old one very badly damaged and leading to nowhere. From here, we continue on a good track through the Invercauld Estate and woodlands to finish at Keiloch. .