Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The hike
The walk starts from the Braemar village car park and goes round in a loop. Village streets lead to a footbridge over the Clunie Water, 0.5 km out, and a path follows the Clunie's bank north to the point where it joins the River Dee, 1.7 km from the car park. The path then runs up the Dee valley to its end at the west edge of the village, 3.5 km out, crossing one burn by a ford on the way. The line comes back along the same path for 0.5 km, then takes a second path and the village streets to the car park.
It is 4.9 km (3.0 miles) with 19 m (60 ft) of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours. The grade is Easy.
A quarter of the line is on village streets, at the start and the end, with some traffic. Braemar Castle stands about a kilometre north-east of the village and is not on this walk.
The car park is free (OpenStreetMap: no fee).
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.
Good to know
- Over the Clunie Water on a footbridge and up its bank to the point where it joins the River Dee
- Up the Dee on a riverside path to its end at the west edge of the village, then back by a second path and the village streets
- Flat and easy: 19 m of climb in all
- Braemar Castle is about a kilometre north-east of the village and is not on this walk
Getting there
Start: Braemar village car park · Free parking. 57.00552, -3.39839
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Aviemore: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.