Craigendarroch - to the top and back

Rough underfoot, steep in places, but what a view, and walking distance from Ballater village.

Starting point: Craigendarroch Walk, 300 metres from Ballater village centre.

Distance: short (2 miles / 3 km)

Climb: hard, 200m

Difficulty: hard, steep in places and uneven underfoot
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour 30 mins
Scenic value: 9/10
Overall rating: 9/10 

Comments: The distinctive pudding-bowl shape of Craigendarroch dominates the Ballater skyline so it would be a shame not to go up it at least once. Plus the view from the top is one of the best on Deeside. Also at the top is a distinctive geological feature: deep score-marks in the exposed rock caused by rocks dragged across it by a glacier that covered the whole of Deeside during the Ice Age. 

However, the pudding bowl-shape means that near the top the path, which is no more than a wide rabbit-track, becomes steep, rocky and slippery when it is wet or icy. Expect to clamber over stones and rocks. Definitely not one for anyone who is at all unsteady on their feet or young children. Proper hillwalking boots or at least trainers with good grips are strongly advised.

Beware that there are steep crags to the north and south of the summit. The path I've suggested does not take you close to them but, in case you inadvertently lose the path, always keep a close look-out ahead and ensure that children do not climb the hill except under close adult supervision.  

The green flag indicates my suggested outward path. The red flag marks the return route. My suggested path is marked dark blue but I've put in the start of other paths that lead off it in light blue to help you keep your bearings. 

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Route

From the corner where Craigendarroch Walk meets the main Braemar/A93 road through Ballater, walk a short distance down Craigendarroch Walk (10 metres or so) until you see a footpath branching off to the left (pictured below). There is a sign describing marker posts around Craigendarroch which you will pass on the walk although personally I think one or two may be missing so I wouldn't be too concerned if you don't see them. 

After a short walk between two houses you will come onto Craigendarroch Hill. Go through a gate. Immediately the footpath branches (see below). I suggest taking the right hand fork although you can take the left fork, they meet up after a short distance. 

I suggest taking the right fork after the gate.

If you take the right fork after a short distance there is a path off to the left with a marker post. Take this path to the left. 

After a short distance take the path to the left at the marker post. 

Don't be surprised if you get the feeling you're being watched - North East Scotland is one of the few remaining habitats for red squirrels and the trees on Craigendarroch seem very popular with them!

Don't be surprised if you get the feeling you're being watched

Now the footpath heads off in a steady westerly direction (i.e. to the left), around the side of Craigendarroch Hill and towards what is now the Hilton Hotel. You'll pass one or two benches by the side of the path such as the one pictured. 

 Also, marker posts...

You'll also pass at least one information post (pictured below). Swing the sign up and you can see some interesting trivia about the local area, for example this one tells you how the old woodsmen used to "coppice" the oak trees that grow on the hill in order to produce lots of straight stems to build carriage wheels.  

Keep following the path round the shoulder of Craigendarroch Hill. It continues west for some distance, leaving the summit of the hill behind you. You'll probably begin to think you've gone too far and have missed the turn-off to get to the summit but don't worry. Once you are almost directly west of the summit you will find a fork in the path (pictured). The left-hand fork continues around the hill. The right-hand fork is the one that leads up to the summit. 

Arrows on a post point both ways, turn right for the summit.

Very quickly the path will become less distinct (see picture below). Well, I suppose not too many people make it up to the top so there are less footsteps to mark out the path, but rest assured, you're on the right track to climb Craigendarroch. You may even spot a marker post to confirm it such as the one pictured. 

As you get closer to the summit the surrounding woodland changes from deciduous trees into conifers. The ground becomes more rocky and the path less distinct. By now it is barely more than a wide rabbit track (see picture below) but you're still going the right way!

The path becomes less distinct as you approach the summit

 The ground becomes even more rocky in places and you can expect to have to clamber over some stones, but fear not, in the steepest bits some kind people have laid down steps in the stone (pictured below - don't fret - the steps are clearer when you're there).

Steps have been laid in the steepest section.

After a short time the trees suddenly open out into the clearing at the summit of the hill and you see the stone cairn there (pictured). Congratulations, you've made it!

The cairn (pile of stones) at the summit of Craigendarroch. 

The view from the top takes in Lochnagar to the southwest (just off the picture below), Ballater and Pannanich Hill across the valley and Mount Keen behind it, and to the east, the Dee valley leading to Dinnet and Aboyne. Be careful, there are steep crags just in front of this view-point. Keep children under close supervision. 

On the rock under-foot you can see distinctive thick gouges in the stone. They were caused by stones caught in the glacier that stood over the whole of Deeside at the time of the last Ice Age and which were dragged across the top of the hill with the full weight of the glacier upon them.

Ballater in the background, the glacial gouges on the rocks in the foreground. 

A short distance across the plateau to the north is a bench and a post with a bronze plate.

 The post has a bronze plate pointing out the various peaks you can see around you on a clear day. 

To the north-east of this marker post, that's to say the opposite end of the long clearing at the summit of the hill, is the start of the path that leads down Craigendarroch. It is pointing almost directly away from Ballater village but don't worry, this is the path you need to take to get down the hill (pictured below). 

The path down is at the opposite end of the summit from Ballater.

Once again the path is no more than a wide rabbit track in the heather. 

The path down descends quite steeply and is very rocky in places. You need to be steady on your feet and have stout shoes. It descends for a bit at the opposite side of the hill to Ballater but then sweeps round to the right and you emerge on the east shoulder of the hill, looking down the Dee valley and the fields just to the east of Ballater. About half-way down there is a bench to enjoy the view and a marker post. You may see paths branching off to the left but don't take them. Continue following the path bearing round to the right, back towards Ballater village. 

Bear round to the right at the bench overlooking the valley,

This path will take you directly under the distinctive crags on Craigendarroch that you can see from the village of Ballater. 

The path passes the distinctive crags

Below the crags the path doubles back on itself and then back again as it descends the steep hill. 

There are two fallen trees over the path that you should duck under. This is the second one, close to the foot of the hill. 

Here is another path branching off to the left. Don't take it. Continue to follow the main path as it bears right back towards where you started. 

If you like, you can follow the path all the way down to the base of the hill and a gap between the modern houses there. This leads onto a road. You can right on the road and it will lead you back to the start. 
  

If you like, you can follow the path to the fence and then onto the road, but I advise turning right beforehand. 

However, I advise taking a path that branches right off the path, which will allow you to complete the final part of this walk through the woods.

So, I advise taking the footpath to the right shortly before you reach the the fence and houses. 

Take the footpath to the right shortly before the fence and houses at the bottom of the hill. 

This footpath continues for a short distance before delivering you back to the start of the walk. Congratulations you've finished the walk up and down Craigendarroch!