Skip to content

The Hills and Outdoors thread

A wee thread for your outdoor pursuits.routes up local and further afield hills and mountains, low level walks,mountain bike trails,wild camping,ski reports.Anything else outdoorsy that others may want to mention/recommend.

 

  My thing is hill walking mainly,with a bit of skiing now and again.Ill start things off with a few routes of hills of varying difficulty, starting with the toughest,from the South Cairngorms

 

1)      Bheinn A Ghlo,Carn A Chlamain,Beinn Dearg,Carn an Fhidlier,An Sgarsoch

 

The approach route i took for these hills can also be done as a low level walk,or mountain bike route without doing the hills. Starts at the Linn of Dee,5 miles beyond Braemar,and carries on through to Blair Atholl at the far end.Takes you through some of the furthest from civilisation landscape in the UK.

 

My plan was to bike and walk in on an evening, to just beyond the Falls of Tarf (at the side of the river Tilt),set up camp and do the west side Munroes the next day,and then Beinn A Ghlo's 3 munroes on day 2, and then back out

 

Parked at the Linn of Dee,and followed a good low level track to white bridge,where it splits in 2.Took the route South over the bridge,and past Bynack lodge,all the way to the falls of Tarf.

  I should point out that,cycling absolutely kills me. I never normally cycle anywhere, except a couple times a year to get to some hills.Any gradient at all and I need to come off and push.This route was pretty reasonable all the way to around Loch Tilt

 

Track near Bynack to give an idea of terrain.Easy biking /walking,great sense of space around here

 

IMG_2240_zpshyibjhhu.jpg

 

Track near the Falls of Tarf.Pushed the bike at this stage,though a regular M/biker would breeze it.Easy enough walking.

 

IMG_2250_zpsqequ0hl7.jpg

 

 

 

I set up camp at the start of a track at,OS - 972,775 (Braemar/Blair Atholl map),took about 2 hrs to reach here,appx 2/3 bike,1/3 hike.

  In the morning,followed the track that heads towards a sheiling/old building on the edge of the Tarf water,and headed up An Sgarsoch first(initially a bit rough),then over to nearby Carn an Fhidlhier.From there over to Beinn Dearg,round by the west side of Loch Mairc,and up Carn A Chlamain,before heading for the track on Braigh choire na Conlaich back to the tent.

  A long summer day needed

 

Day 2 was the Beinn A Ghlo route, starting from the tent,down Glen Tilt to the bridge at Marble Lodge.From there,make way up Carn Liath,the first Munro,along to Braigh Coire Chruinn bhalgain,the second,and then to Carn nan Gabhar.From there head down to Meall A Mhuirich, looking out for a stalkers path to help you down to Glen Tilt and aiming for the bridge across the Tilt river,around 3km above Forest lodge

 

  .An Sgorsach and Carn an Fhidhlier can be done seperately by following the same route initially,but turning up the track at the Geldie burn,past Geldie Lodge,where a path leads you on to Carn an Fhidhlier,over to An Agarsoch,and back to the Geldie Burn/Linn of Dee.

  If not doing An Sgarsoch/Carn an Fhidhlier,the other hills are best planned from the Bridge of Atholl side.

Glen Tilt,a very attractive glen

 

 

2)  Geallaig hill - 743m

 

 

An easier hill,just past Ballater on the road to Braemar.The tourist route for this one is a rather drab track from the north side,but can be done from the South via this route.

  Park at the first car park on the right,just after the Coilecreich Inn.walk west along the road until you come out from the trees.There is a wooden gate on your right hand side.Go over that,and follow the grassy track up hill,which becomes more of a vehicle track further up.About two thirds of the way up the track seems to veer away from the summit,but a path appears,and takes you on to the top.

  Good views of Lochnagar and Upper Deeside. 1 or 2 hrs up and the same down depending on fitness

 

3) Millstone hill - 408m

 

  And a good starter hill on the south side of Bennachie.Parked at the Donview visitor centre near Blairdaff with good paths all the way.Took about an hour up,hour doon with a couple of 7 year olds.Theres also a link path from the summit over to the South top of Bennachie.

 

  Nice Aberdeenshire landscapes en route,and some nice spots along the river Don nearby,...which is nice

 

 

 

EDIT - A link to a map which you can zoom in for more detail.Sometimes shows paths not seen on an OS map

 

http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/search.php?ct=SEWM

 

 

 

  • Replies 301
  • Views 114k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

  • Biggest island of the small isles,but only about 40 inhabitants who mostly live in Kinloch the harbour village.The rest of the island probably too rough or exposed id say.Fantastic mountains.Not huge,

  • Nothing to add to the fitba thread.Done a few more sections of the coastal route.Newtonhill to Muchalls was a bit dour.Muchalls to Stoney was brilliant.Lots of twists,turns and surprises on the way.

  • Finally made it out on the mountain bike after probably nearly a year and a bit. All the stars aligned which meant I could make it to Makara which is west of Wellington. Good gruelling 1hr long ride u

Posted Images

Featured Replies

  • Author

What a difference a week makes.Last weekend on Ben Rinnes.All gone this weekend

Cairngorms on the way up

DSC07508-3.jpg

 DSC07511-2.jpg

Edited by Elgindon

  • 2 weeks later...

Finally made it out on the mountain bike after probably nearly a year and a bit. All the stars aligned which meant I could make it to Makara which is west of Wellington. Good gruelling 1hr long ride up and then a good few decent down hills. Didn’t fall off this time (hadn’t done this track for 4 years). second pic is looking north east towards Wellington harbour.

FA952CD2-D804-4CBF-89C2-267176CC0076.jpeg

759D73A0-3324-425F-980F-07EBC22BFE47.jpeg

  • Author

Nice.

   Is that a gorse with the yellow flowers,first pic. I heard Scots introduced it over there as a cheap means of fencing livestock,but its since become a bit of a nightmare from spreading and the fire risk

6 minutes ago, Elgindon said:

Nice.

   Is that a gorse with the yellow flowers,first pic. I heard Scots introduced it over there as a cheap means of fencing livestock,but its since become a bit of a nightmare from spreading and the fire risk

Aye, still plenty of it about and can be a fire risk. Makara itself is part of a reserve, and they’re trying to be predator free to enable the reintroduction of the kiwi. Gorse is ok in certain situations like this as it helps the native planting growing then when they outgrow it, it dies off. Issue being that wild goats do like it so attracts them which ruins the landscape 😂

12 minutes ago, manc_don said:

Aye, still plenty of it about and can be a fire risk. Makara itself is part of a reserve, and they’re trying to be predator free to enable the reintroduction of the kiwi. Gorse is ok in certain situations like this as it helps the native planting growing then when they outgrow it, it dies off. Issue being that wild goats do like it so attracts them which ruins the landscape 😂

Is that the place where they're eradicating the rats? Maybe get them to head to Govan if successful.

2 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

Is that the place where they're eradicating the rats? Maybe get them to head to Govan if successful.

There are a few of them around NZ, but have seen some huns flying under the radar. Their car license plates are usually the give away 

  • 2 months later...
  • Author

Just back from Achiltibuie.Cooler than usual around 14oC,(been up at 26oC in the past),but dry and midge free.

  A bit of fishing below Cul Mor mountain

DSC07621-2.jpg

And an evening stroll up Stac Pollaidh.Very popular wee hill with great views.Hour up,hour down,but steep and a bit scrambly near the summit.https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ullapool/stacpollaidh.shtml

DSC07677-2.jpg

  • 2 months later...
  • Author

Just back from another few days on Lismore,but first time in summer.Whole island road network is cycleable in a day if fit,comfortably in 2.Very few cars on the roads.

  Theres also a number of fine tracks as bottom pic,and the coast is walkable in many places,

Looking up Lismore coast(from Achinduin castle) on Loch Linnhe.Looks pretty walkable

DSC07902.jpg

 

Old track near Achinduin castle

DSC07915-3.jpg

1 hour ago, Elgindon said:

 

DSC07902.jpg

 

I assume you've reported the UFO sighting?

  • Author
6 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

I assume you've reported the UFO sighting?

Aye.From planet Mankolensii

Edited by Elgindon

  • 2 months later...
  • Author

Avoided last nights mauling with another stroll in Glen Esk(Edzell).

Looking up Glen Esk towards Lochnagar and Mount Keen

DSC08170.jpg

The blue door walk along River North Esk is a cracking low level walk https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/angus/edzell.shtml

River North Esk

 

DSC07553.jpg

  • 2 months later...
  • Author

Did this wee hill at Aviemore(quiet at work due to weather).100m lower than Bennachie,with easier walking underfoot.Adjacent to Loch an Eilean,always worth a walk too. Great views,will give it another go in summertime

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sub2000/ord-ban

DSC08245.jpg

Family trip out to Sumner beach today, which is a nice part of Christchurch. Spent the long weekend down here from Wellington. Averaging 30 degrees for us here with a high of 34 😳 fortunately that day I was in the local office so airconditioned and my boys found a good shaded pool! Such a family friendly city, they really are making the most of having to reset after the earthquakes. Just wish it wasn’t such a car heavy city. Or full of cantabs 😂

IMG_3357.jpeg

1 hour ago, manc_don said:

cantabs

What does that mean? Some sort of New Zealand Hun?

43 minutes ago, RicoS321 said:

What does that mean? Some sort of New Zealand Hun?

Very much so. Cantabrians from Canterbury. The huns of NZ.

  • Author

34oC?,Ooft...happy to stick with our balmy(15/16oC) summers at Hopeman 👍

   Found this website built up by a retired local couple,...for more local walks you might not find on your 'walk highlands' etc. Lots of detail,and description,with a good variety of walks

  https://themackwalks.wordpress.com/category/walks/area/aberdeenshire/

  

  • 2 months later...

Bike ride around the hills in martinbrough over Easter. 50Km ride with the father in law as he prepares to follow the giro d’Italia later this year.  Haven’t been out as much as I’d like to have been so far this year, life has a habit of getting in the way!  Anyway, stunning part of the world, and wellingtons closest wine region (excluding Marlborough as that’s over water).
 

 

IMG_4264.jpeg

  • Author

Back on Lismore a couple of weekends ago. A couple of local lovelies,and looking across Loch Linnhe to Appin.Munro top left,Sgurr na Ulaidh I think.

   Population only 160,and for some reason a comparatively high percentage of visitors are Yanks.

DSC08524.jpg

  • 2 weeks later...
On 03/04/2024 at 18:22, manc_don said:

Bike ride around the hills in martinbrough over Easter. 50Km ride with the father in law as he prepares to follow the giro d’Italia later this year.  Haven’t been out as much as I’d like to have been so far this year, life has a habit of getting in the way!  Anyway, stunning part of the world, and wellingtons closest wine region (excluding Marlborough as that’s over water).
 

 

IMG_4264.jpeg

I enjoy watching the bike racing on the telly but the thought of standing next to some guy with a whistle and a big bedsheet and missing the bikes go by because I'm trying to open my bottle of Prosecco is not my idea of a holiday.   😉

  • 3 weeks later...
On 03/04/2024 at 21:44, Elgindon said:

 A couple of local lovelies,

DSC08524.jpg

Hope you are talking about the mountains.

  • Author

Were only SSB...👍

Sticking with the sheep theme, A trip up the back of my in laws place. Getting their land ready for subdivision so who knows how long we’ll still be able to venture up. But excellent view out towards the South Island.

 

IMG_4714.jpeg

  • Author

Guessing South islands far left on horizon,or next along?  Whats happening because of subdivision ?

 Meant to get out this weekend but faffed about in the garden instead,hopeful next weekend

On 06/05/2024 at 06:45, Elgindon said:

Guessing South islands far left on horizon,or next along?  Whats happening because of subdivision ?

 Meant to get out this weekend but faffed about in the garden instead,hopeful next weekend

Aye, left on the horizon, although it does actually stretch further to the right, but most of that is low lying so not really visible. 
 

in laws are selling off what was their forestry block. Was always their long term plan but unfortunately won’t make as much as they’d been sold (the dream). So very reliant on the subdivisions to be a success. There’s 6 house sites of varying vista, but all 5 acres. They’re what they call lifestyle blocks here. Completely off grid but power could be extended up. Not looking to keep their current house which will be a shame but age isn’t ideal for the location.

  • 2 weeks later...

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo down the local beach. I was really surprised how close it let me get to it. 

201.jpg

208.jpg

214.jpg

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.