After leaving the car park, this walk passes toilets and a visitor centre before following a route round Loch Muick (pronounced 'Mick'). This is also a good spot to look out for the large wild red deer. Incidentally, Loch Muick means the 'Loch of the Swine' in Gaelic.

Although there is an indicated route, this walk goes in the opposite direction. By doing so it may be possible for someone with mobility problems to appreciate the natural beauty and remoteness of the area for the first 5.5kms. Following the route in an anti-clockwise direction allows a route that is almost level for the first part of the way. As the walk is on Balmoral Estates, there is a diversion from the lochside through woods to avoid a royal lodge. The walk rises there through the woods and over some very uneven tree roots and boulders.

Once back at the lochside again, the route follows a short stretch alongside the water and a sandy beach. This gives way to a rise towards the south-eastern side of the loch, passing a cascading stream on the way.

By now the path has become much narrower and single-track and undulates over stonier ground. It eventually opens out into a wider path again as it returns to the start.

Please note that, as this is a very popular area, the car park fills up very quickly at the weekends and in the peak summer months.

Scotland - Aberdeenshire - Braemar & Balmoral

View a road map to the starting point of this walk.