Distance: short, 2 miles
Climb: none
Difficulty: easy
Underfoot: good wide paths
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
Scenic value: 4/10
Overall rating: 4/10
Underfoot: good wide paths
Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
Scenic value: 4/10
Overall rating: 4/10
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Comments: This is a walk for all the family,
apart from the last 50 metres you could even push a buggy or push-chair around it,
and there is an alternative route at the end that avoids the part that is more uneven underfoot.
The walk is along the river for the most part with views across of it but be warned -
part of the route takes you along the side of the golf course, so - just as when playing golf -
you must look-out for wayward drives from golfers.
Route
The beginning of this walk is the same as the beginning of the walk along the old railway line to the Bridge of Gairn. My route starts at Dundarroch Road, off Invercauld Road and a short distance from the village centre. However for real lazy-bones there is a car-park about a quarter of the way along the walk, marked on the Google map above, which you can drive to.
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| Dundarroch Road |
At the end the road narrows into a footpath between two stone posts. Continue along it.
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| Continue along the footpath at the end of Dundarroch Road |
The footpath emerges onto Old Line Road. This is the proposed route of the railway line west of Ballater although despite a route being chosen and prepared, no trains ever ran west of the village. Continue straight ahead along Old Line Road.
The road forks. Take the left fork down to the river and the car-park in front of it.
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| Take the left fork. |
You'll come to a car-park. Picnic tables around it have a view of the river. A footpath leads from the far end of the car-park to the edge of the river and turns left along it (pictured). Take this footpath.
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| Take the footpath at the far end of the car-park and turn left. |
Follow the footpath along the river. After a short distance you'll come to a metal gate. The next part of the footpath leads along the side of Ballater golf course. As I said at the beginning be a bit careful here. Don't stray onto the golf-course.
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| Beyond the metal gate the path runs alongside the golf course. |
One short part of the path leads alongside one of the holes. At this point look out for people driving on the tee. If one of them hooks their shot severely it is possible the ball will come over the path - but it's very rare.
Although you're at the base of the valley the views are still great. Across the river you can see the peaks of Carn a Bheataidh, Creag Liath, Tom an Lagian and Creag Phiobaidh.
Now the path turns away from the river and across a marshy area. The path has been built up and it still flat.
The path arrives at the entrance to the Ballater camp-site. You can turn sharp left which leads up to the Ballater golf club-house, the tennis courts and the bowling green. However, I would suggest continuing straight on, across the camp-site.
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| I suggest continuing across the camp-site. |
On the other side of the camp-site those with prams may want to follow the road round to the left which leads back into the village centre along pavements, however I'd suggest going straight on through the metal gate to the river.
After crossing the grassy area you can take a road to the left, Dee Street, which leads back up to the village, however if you don't mind it being uneven underfoot I would suggest continuing straight ahead, through the wooden gate, and walking along the river for the last 20 metres or so.
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| If you don't mind it being rough underfoot I'd suggest going through the wooden gate. |
The path continues along the river, now though it is a narrow rabbit-track for this last short part of the walk.
Climb up the steps just before you get to the bridge, which will take you back to the High Street.
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| Climb the steps over the wall. |
Congratulations! You've completed the walk around Ballater Golf Course.
