Derry Lodge and Glen Luibeg from the Linn of Dee

The walk starts from the National Trust for Scotland's pay car park at the Linn of Dee and goes out and back. A forest path with a boardwalk leads to the Glen Lui track, which runs up the east side of the glen to Derry Lodge, 5.3 km from the car park, where a footbridge crosses the Derry Burn. From the bridge a track and then a path run west up Glen Luibeg along the south side of the Luibeg Burn, between Carn a' Mhaim and the slopes of Derry Cairngorm, to the metal footbridge over the burn, 8.6 km from the car park. The line turns back at the bridge. The path goes on up the glen towards the Lairig Ghru. Return the same way.

It is 17.1 km (10.6 miles) with 149 m (490 ft) of ascent; allow about 4¾ hours. The grade is Moderate, for the distance: the Glen Lui track is good, and beyond the lodge the way is a track and then a path that OpenStreetMap rates as mountain hiking (SAC T2).

The Luibeg Burn can be a big river after rain, and the line keeps to the footbridges at Derry Lodge and Luibeg rather than the fords beside them. The Heading for the Scottish Hills table has no row for Glen Luibeg; it lists no stalking issues on the National Trust for Scotland ground of Carn a' Mhaim, Derry Cairngorm and Ben Macdui, the hills round the glen. OpenStreetMap maps Bob Scott's bothy, a basic hut, about 140 m off the line near Derry Lodge.

The Linn of Dee car park is a pay car park (OpenStreetMap lists a 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.