Loch Brandy from Glen Clova

The walk starts from the public car park at Milton of Clova, just over the bridge from the Glen Clova Hotel towards Glen Doll; the hotel's own car park is for patrons. The path, signed for Glen Esk, climbs past the hotel's bunkhouse and cabins, crosses a footbridge and leaves the wood for the open hill. The rebuilt path gains height fast to a crossroads of paths at the foot of the Snub, where Loch Brandy comes into view. Return the same way.

It is 5.3 km (3.3 miles) with 396 m (1,300 ft) of ascent; allow about 3 hours. We grade it Moderate: it is short, but it climbs steeply to exposed ground.

Loch Brandy is surprisingly large, cradled in a steep-sided corrie under the crags of the Snub. On the way up the steep prow of the Laird's Chamber is to the left, and looking back, Glen Clova is split between woods down the glen and barer, rockier slopes at its head.

The good path ends at the loch; short paths lead left and right for more views. Beyond it is serious hill country, with a risk of rockfall below the Snub. Carry hill clothing: it is exposed at the top.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.