Braemar sits high in upper Deeside in Scotland and just inside the Cainrgoms National Park. The village is surrounded by hills and mountains and it’s a great location for walkers. Youcan walk out of the door and be on a hill path within 10 minutes, or make a short drive to the start of some of the longest and wildest routes in the national park.
There is so much choice for walkers. On a wet morning you can stroll along the river and be back for a coffee before lunch. On a clear day you can head for Morrone, Loch Callater or the Lairig Ghru. Here is a selection of walks from Braemar, from gentle riverside loops to full mountain days, with a few practical tips for getting the most out of them.
Making Braemar Your Base
Part of the appeal of walking here is how little driving you need to do. A community path network starts from the village itself, so on several of these routes you can leave the car parked all day. That makes it worth choosing somewhere to stay that is close to the centre rather than out along the A93.
If you are looking for Braemar accommodation within walking distance of the shops, cafés and trailheads, Bruachdryne is a self-catering apartment on Mar Road in the middle of the village. It sleeps up to six, has free parking and is dog friendly, which suits walkers who want to bring their four-legged companion along on the paths.
Staying central also means you can split a hill day in two if the weather turns. Walk Creag Choinnich in the morning, wait out a shower over lunch, and still fit in another walk, the Queen’s Drive, in the afternoon.
Gentle Walks Along the River and Through the Village
The River Dee walk is a lovely introduction to the area. The Cairngorms National Park Authority’s community paths leaflet gives it as 4.8km and about two hours, following the Clunie Water down to its meeting with the Dee and then along the river, with views both up and down the strath. It is mostly level and a good choice for days when the cloud is down on the tops.
The Queen’s Drive is shorter at around 4.5km and an hour and a half. It follows part of an old carriage drive said to be one of Queen Victoria’s favourites, and the gradients are gentle throughout. A few sections are on minor roads, so keep dogs close.
For something a little different, the Charter Chest Path runs for about 2km alongside the A93 to the Old Brig o’ Dee and the Keiloch car park. It is firm and smooth underfoot and links the village with the Invercauld side of the valley, where the walks around Keiloch Crag and through the Ballochbuie Forest begin.
Short Climbs With Big Views
Creag Choinnich is the little wooded hill that rises right behind the village. It is only about 2.5km there and back, but the path climbs steeply in places, with some steps, so allow an hour or two. The summit is 538m high and on a clear day you can pick out the granite tors on Ben Avon to the north. The lower part of the route follows the course of the hill race that is part of the famous Braemar Gathering.
The Lion’s Face and the Cromlins is a slightly longer outing of around 6.5km. It earns its name from a rocky crag that is said to look like a lion’s profile. The route gives some of the best views around Braemar, taking in the village, Braemar Castle, Invercauld House and the upper Dee valley, with the Cairngorm mountains stacked up beyond.
Morrone Birkwood and the Summit of Morrone
South-west of the village, the Morrone Birkwood walk of about 5.5km takes you through lovely woodlands. As you climb, the birch trees of the valley gradually give way to open scrub dotted with juniper. The wood is a remnant of the old mountain forests that once covered much of the Cairngorms, and it is protected as a Special Area of Conservation and National Nature Reserve. Look out for rare plants such as twinflower and globeflower in early summer.
If you want more height, carry on to the summit of Morrone itself. At 859m it is listed as a Corbett, and the full ascent from Braemar is around 12km. The reward for your walking effort is a huge panorama over Deeside and towards the high Cairngorm plateau. Take boots, waterproofs, warm layers, food, and a map and compass, even on a fine day.
Walks a Short Drive From the Village
Some of the best walking near Braemar starts a few miles west, on the Mar Lodge Estate. The Linn of Dee is a narrow rocky gorge where the river squeezes through a slot in the rock, and a short circuit of around 3km makes an easy family walk. From the same car park you can follow the track to Derry Lodge, about 11km there and back, with the pinewoods of Glen Lui and the first views of the big Cairngorm hills opening up ahead.
Nearby, the Linn of Quoich is known for its “Punchbowl”, a hollow worn into the rock by the swirling water. A circuit of about 5km takes in the falls and the surrounding woodland, and the glen beyond is a fine place to spot red deer.
South of the village, Loch Callater is reached by a good track from Auchallater in Glen Clunie. It is around 11.5km there and back, with a gradual climb into a quiet glen ringed by hills. The track also forms the start of Jock’s Road, the historic route over the hills to Glen Doll.
Bigger Days in the Cairngorms
Braemar is the southern gateway to some classic long routes for experienced walkers. Popular choices include:
- Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm from the Linn of Dee, a long day of around 29km to the second highest summit in the UK.
- The Lairig Ghru, the famous mountain pass between Deeside and Speyside, at around 30km.
- Beinn a’ Bhùird and Ben Avon, reached via Gleann an t-Slugain.
- The Cairnwell Munros, which start from a high point on the A93 and give a quicker route onto the tops
These routes cross remote, high ground where conditions can change quickly in any season. Check the mountain weather forecast, carry the right kit and navigation skills, and leave your route with someone before you set off.
Walking Responsibly in Upper Deeside
Much of the land around Braemar is working estate ground, and some routes pass through areas used for deer stalking in late summer and autumn, as well as for sheep in spring. Scotland’s access rights come with responsibilities, and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code explains how to enjoy the hills while respecting land management, wildlife and other people. It is especially useful for dog walkers, with guidance on keeping dogs under close control around livestock and ground-nesting birds.
Simple habits go a long way: Close gates behind you, keep to paths through sensitive areas such as the Birkwood, take all litter home and park considerately at busy parking areas, such as the Linn of Dee.
Planning Your Walking Trip
Late spring and early summer bring long daylight hours and wildflowers in the woods, while September adds the colour of autumn birches and the buzz of the Braemar Gathering. Winter can be magnificent, with snow on the hills and frosty mornings on the river, but the higher routes then become serious mountaineering terrain.
Whatever the season, Braemar rewards walkers who stay a few days rather than passing through. Start with the riverside paths and Creag Choinnich, add Morrone when the cloud lifts, and save a long Cairngorm day for the best forecast of your trip.
