Craigendarroch from Ballater

The walk starts from the Station Square car park in the middle of Ballater, beside the Old Royal Station, and goes round in a loop. It follows pavements and the A93 west for about 500 m, then a path climbs the west side of Craigendarroch through oak, pine and birch woodland, steeply and with steps in places, to the summit at 400 m, 1.3 km from the car park, where there is a viewpoint over the town and the Dee valley. The line leaves the summit by a path to the west, follows the long path round the north flank of the hill, and comes down by the Cinder Track to the town.

It is 3.9 km (2.4 miles) with 224 m (730 ft) of ascent; allow about 1¾ hours. The grade is Moderate, because the climb is steep: about 200 m in the first 1.3 km. OpenStreetMap rates 0.4 km of the line as mountain hiking (SAC T2).

Keep to the paths: the climb is steep, with steps in places. Paths climb it from several sides and one runs round it, so the walk can be shortened by coming down the way you went up.

The Station Square car park is free (OpenStreetMap: no fee) and has room for about 23 cars (OpenStreetMap capacity).

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.