Overview
Introduction to the Lochnagar & Upper Deeside
Based in Braemar in the north-east Scotland we will explore the mountains and glens of the eastern Cairngorms. This hillwalking holiday will give you a chance to bag a few Munros, explore ancient Scots Pine woodland, and walk in the footsteps of royalty. With accommodation taken care of and the guiding in the hands of one our excellent UK Mountain Leaders, you can just relax and enjoy the walking.
Highlights of the Lochnagar & Upper Deeside
- Summit the stand-out mountain of the area, Lochnagar
- Walk along Loch Muick passed the Queen’s country retreat
- Walk through the ancient and regenerating pine-woods at Linn of Dee
- Visit the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve
- The chance to bag a Munro or 4 in one day!
What's Included with this Holiday
- B&B Accommodation for 6 nights
- 6 Days walking
- A Qualified Mountain Leader as your guide
- A Full Information Pack
- Maximum group size of 8
- A copy of Nan Shepherd’s ‘Living Mountain’
- Free transfer from Perth available
What to Expect from the Lochnagar & Upper Deeside
On this hillwalking holiday you can expect a taste of the Cairngorms landscape and an insight into why Nan Shepherd felt so at home here. You can expect mountainous walking as well as some lower level walking. The paths will be rocky and occasionally boggy.
Is the Lochnagar & Upper Deeside Right For Me?
This is a walking holiday for those with some hillwalking experience. You will want to have good fitness levels to suit the distances and ascents.
Lochnagar & Upper Deeside Gallery
Lochnagar & Upper Deeside Guided Walking Itinerary
Daily Plan
Over the course of the week we will aim to top a number of Munros and take in every aspect of this landscape. Each night we will return to our accommodation in Braemar to re-charge the batteries.
Day 1: Arrival & Morrone Birkwood
This is your chance to make your way to Braemar. You can take advantage of the free transfer from Perth which will leave at 12 noon. At 2pm we will all meet in Braemar for our first walk, the Morrone Birkwood. This walk makes for an excellent introduction to the eastern Cairngorms and a chance to stretch the legs after your travels. Distance: 4.5km/2.75 miles; Ascent: 120m; Time: 1.5-2 hours. After the walk we will make our way to our accommodation for our first night in the village of Braemar.
Accommodation Braemar
Day 2: Linn of Dee
Today we will head to the Linn of Dee, a dramatic gorge in the river dee, and onwards to the Linn of Quoich. From the car park here we will walk the Clais Fhearnaig circuit giving you a taste of Nan Shepherd's wanderings in this landscape. We will begin up Glen Quoich passed 'The Punchbowl', a water worn rock feature in the river. We will then take the Clais Fhearnaig pass over to Glen Lui and return to the Linn of Quoich via the woodlands and riverside of the Mar Lodge Estate. We will have time to explore the Linn of Dee itself before heading back to Braemar. Distance: 16.25km/10 miles; Ascent: 320m; Time: 4-4.5 hours.
Accommodation Braemar
Day 3: Lochnagar
Famed in the Lord Byron poem 'Dark Loch na Gar' we will ascend today into Lochnagar's "steep frowning glories" from the Spittal of Glenmuick. This steep rocky face of this mountain is a dramatic location, which attracts climbers in both summer and winter. We will take the easiest route to the top but will be afforded views of the face from the bealach south of Meikle Pap. We will walk round the cliff tops to the summit itself. Our descent route is initially gentle before taking us directly and steeply down to Loch Muick. We will arrive at Glas-allt-Shiel (a holiday home to the Royal Family) and then follow the track round the loch back to our start point. Distance: 19km/11.75 miles; Ascent: 930m; Time: 6-7 hours.
Accommodation Braemar
Day 4: Glas Maol Munros
4 Munros in one outing! Starting from Britain's highest road has its advantages here. We will head up to the rocky top of Cairn an Tuirc first, and in doing so completing the steepest of the day's climbs. Next we head south for Cairn of Claise on broad grassy terrain. Then it is onto Glas Maol and if the energy levels allow, we will head over the rocky ridge to the stony summit of Creag Leacach. We will finish the day at the Glenshee Ski Centre. Distance: 18km/11 miles; Ascent: 900m; Time: 6.5-7.5 hours
Accommodation Braemar
Day 5: Muir of Dinnet & Burn o' Vat
After a few days in the hills we will slow the pace and head for the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve. A circular walk around Loch Kinord and Burn o' Vat. We will make the most of any opportunity to watch the wildlife and as well as lovely walk it is a day to bring the binoculars. Distance: 10km/6 miles; Ascent: n/a; Time: 2-3 Hours
Accommodation Braemar
Day 6: Creag nan Gabhar & Loch Callater
On our final day we will head up a local Corbett, Creag nan Gabhar. It will provide us with a view point from which to admire the landscape we have spent the previous days walking up, over and through. Distance: 14.5km/9 miles; Ascent: 475m; Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation Braemar
Day 7: Departure
Today we will say our farewells. A free transfer back to Perth is available for those that wish to take advantage of this leaving Braemar at 9am.
Lochnagar & Upper Deeside Accommodation Options
We will be based in local Bed & Breakfasts for this walking holiday. You will always be within walking distance of pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy your evening meals. We also run this trek with the option of Hostel accommodation.
Bed & Breakfast
The Bed and Breakfast option provides you with good standard Bed and Breakfast accommodation, with breakfast included within the price of the holiday. The B&Bs we use are located within small towns or villages and so you will have access to local shops as well as a choice of pubs to make sure you have plenty of opportunity to have an evening meal. In areas where there are no B&Bs or there are no facilities such as shops or pubs we will instead drive you out to another nearby village where a better overall experience can be achieved.
Hostel
We offer this holiday with the option of hostel accommodation. This will be a bed in a shared dorm within Braemar Youth Hostel. Bathroom facilities are shared and there is access to a communal kitchen. This is a more basic accommodation and suitable for those who are willing to forego the comforts of a B&B.
Dates & Prices
The dates of our scheduled treks can be seen below. We also off the option of private bookings for groups. Please get in touch if you'd like to book privately.
| Date of Trek | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sunday 20th August 2023 to Saturday 26th August 2023 | FULL |
| Date of Trek | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sunday 28th July 2024 to Saturday 3rd August 2024 | Spaces |
No Suitable Date?
If there are no dates on this calendar to suit you please let us know, sometimes we can add extra dates if there is enough demand for an extra trip to be added.
Waiting List
If a trek is full but you would like to be added to the waiting list, please do let us know. The waiting list is there so that if anyone drops out of the trek we will contact you and let you know, so you can take their place on the trek instead.
Future Dates
Our trekking calendar is released a year in advance each spring. Keep an eye on the 'Year Planner' in the menu above, or send us a request for an email alert when the latest calendar is published. If you are keen to book early and secure a trek on a date to suit you, do feel free to get in contact with us to suggest a date
Pricing
Price for Bed & Breakfast:
The price of this trip is £1049 per person (based on two sharing).
To book this trip we will require a £200 deposit per person with the rest to be paid a month before your trip.
If you are booking as a solo traveller and happy to share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex the price is £1049.
If you are a solo traveller and would like a single room to yourself there is a £45 per night single supplement (£270 in total).
Price for Hostel:
The price of this trip is £649 per person (based on two sharing).
To book this trip we will require a £200 deposit per person with the rest to be paid a month before your trip.
If you are booking as a solo traveller and happy to share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex the price is £649.
There is no single supplement available for this trail as rooms are mainly of a shared basis.
How to Book
Booking is simple, you can either phone us, email us or use our online shopping cart below.
Book Lochnagar & Upper Deeside Online
What Happens Once you Have Booked
Once we have received your booking (either through the online shopping cart, email or phone). We will then confirm with you that your accommodation option and room type, single, twin or double, is available. We will then send you a full booking form and information about paying your deposit for your trek. All deposits can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card. Once we have received back both your booking form and deposit we will let you know and your place on the trip will be secure.