Walks | North-East
Lochnagar
Start: Glen Muick Car Park
Description: A walk up one of the most famous Munro's, in the Royal Balmoral Estate
OS Map: #44, Ballater & Glen Clova
Multimap: Online Map
This munro starts from the Spittal of Glenshee, approx 7 miles from Ballater off the South Deeside road. This stark and dramtic hill lies in the Royal Estate of Balmoral, so it is not unusual to see a member of the Royal family climbing the slopes, or driving around the lower reaches by Range Rover. The hill dominates the surrounding landscape, and can indeed be seen all the way from Aberdeen some 30 miles away on the coast.
On parking (remember to Pay & Display!) head over the burn towards the visitor centre. Take the first path to the right, heading for a cluster of buildings on the far side of Glen Muick. Wild life is rich in the Glen, watch out for Dragonfly, Deer, Buzzards, Golden Eagle and much more. On reaching the building, take the path behind it and through the trees. At the fork, keep to the path heading straight ahead.
The walk soon climbs to give reasonable views back to Glen Muick, and to the most easterly Munro, Mount Keen. The good path steadily climbs, crossing a small burn with the peak just visible over the rise ahead. Once over the rise the path drops before beginning the climb to the col just short of Meikle Pap.
From here there are great views across to the north-east corrie of Lochnagar - which means little loch of lughter (or noise). Turning south, the steep climb ahead is known as The ladder.
From here the path undulates along the rim of the corrie for around 1 km to the summit tor. The deep indentation looking across to the corrie again is known as The Black Spout. The climb to the top (Cac Carn Beag, 1155 metres) takes around 3 and half hours.
The quickest descent is by the same route, however, a much more enjoyable route follows the path down to Glas-allt-Shiel. Head back to the wide col just past Cac Carn Mor (the large cairn) and follow the path that heads of to your right (South) following the Glas Allt down a stunning waterfall. The lodge in the woods at the bottom of the path was built by Queen Victoria.
From here, follow the large road along the lochside, and then across the head of the loch, back to the Spittal of Glen Muick.