Glen Muick/Clova/Esk

rudderboy

Looking for circular route suggestions that start somewhere off the Dee (Ballater, etc) and involve an overnighter in the Glen Clova bunkhouse / hotel / bar ?

Miggins

First off, go to www.bing.com/maps , select the Ordance Survey map option and type in Braemar. Cross-reference with the following instructions:

Start from Braemar and head south along the A93 to the bridge at Auchallater then take the track which follows the Callater Burn then forks left to Loch Callater. At the south-eastern end of Loch Callater pick up Jock's Road which will take you through Glen Doll and Glen Doll Woods and to a car park. Turn right out of the car park and follow the road along Glen Clova until you get to the hotel where ale/food/sleep awaits.

Next day, go back up the road you came down before (back towards Glen Doll) but go striaght past the car park, through the gate and continue until:

a) You see a track going off into the woods on the right (just past a deer fence/gate, I think). This will take you up to the Capel Road (land-rover track) where you can free-wheel all the way down to Loch Muick

or

b) You go past a house (Moulzie), following the burn and then crossing it. Follow the rockiness untill you enter some woods and cross the burn again (bridge at Bachnagairn). Keep climbing up and over the top down to Loch Muick

From the most northerly end of the loch, continue along the track and take your next left through the woods. Bear left and follow the track west, then north, then north east where you'll turn off south of Ripe Hill then follow until you meet the road again not far from Braemar.

Having ridden a loop from Loch Muick to Glen Cova, this ride is a good one for scenery and a few technical bits. There's a fair bit of pushing on both routes (a and b) but it's worth the effort. I've not done the loop as briefed above yet, but hopefully soon. Have fun and don't forget your Skin so Soft.