Royal Deeside Map 2

Ballater to Cairn Leuchan and Mount Keen

ISBN 978-1-906184-62-9

The Cairn Leuchan map and guide covers a truly magnificent part of Royal Deeside in the Cairngorms National Park. The routes describe high level hiking and mountain biking in the hills and mountains, to the south and east of Ballater. This is mountain biking terrain at it very best. The suggested routes include a ride up Mount Keen and require a very high level of skill and fitness. The hiking is long and tough and rewarded with amazing views.
Try some of the suggested routes or just adventure on your own, using this map and the routes as a guide.

Specially made for biking & hiking.

3 suggested routes.

MTB single track information.

Superb quality high level trails.

The Mounth Road to Mount Keen.

Scale 1:50,000 & detailed 20m contours.

Yellow Route. Easy Ballater 12km, 2hr ride 3 hr hike.
Follow the red route described opposite from Ballater to Base Camp. Turn left and proceed past the hut and along the ridge as it winds its way north. After about 1km there is a superb view of Ballater and the Dee valley. Continue north being careful not to deviate from the main trail.
Parallel the fence and go past the trig point, then descend steeply towards the west, keeping the forest on the right hand side. Just before the bottom of the hill and before the estate buildings, go through the gate in the fence on the right and into the forest. Now take a wonderful little single track and after 500m turn left at the crossroads. Head between the ponds, turning left again to the road and back to Ballater.

Red Route. Long 32km, 5-6 hrs bike. A monstrous circular ride from Ballater to Mount Keen. Head south out of Ballater and turn right on to the South Deeside Road (SDR). From the Bridge of Muick head through the estate, turning right at a sign to Mount Keen. Go through the gate and climb the hill to The Base Camp. It is a long climb but for those taking the yellow and orange routes once at Base Camp nearly all the climbing is complete. The red route has only just begun!
Follow the trail east , descending into the glen and following the signs to Mount Keen. Go up and over the ridge and descend steeply into Glen Tanar. For the extremely fit head south on The Mounth Road and climb Mount Keen.
From The Shiel of Glentanar head north east on The Mounth Road and after 3.5km take the second left towards Etnach. Climb on the Black Moss Path and take a look back for one last amazing view of Mount Keen.
Descend to the road and turn left. Either follow the SDR back to Ballater or deviate onto a really nice single track that winds through the woods above the River Dee.

Orange Route. Moderate. 17k – 23km. 3hr bike or 5hr hike. Ballater to Cairn Leuchan then down one of the Cairn Leuchan descents. Head to the Base Camp on the red route described above. Take the right fork and continue the climb to Cairn Leuchan. Now continue along the broad ridge where there are fantastic views to Mount Keen and Lochnagar.
Take any of the Cairn Leuchan descents down to the road.
Cairn Leuchan 1 (total distance 17k) is on the right……..