Tackle two of Scotland's most popular Munros with our latest route.
Walking Route - Glen Clova,
Scotland
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Glen Clova > Mayar
> Driesh > Glen Clova
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Average Time: 5 hours 20
mins
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Distance: 9 miles (14.5
Km)
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Height Gain: 3328 ft
(1015m)
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Scottish glens, forest and open hillside with superb
views on this route at the southern end of the
Cairngorms.
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Maps: OS LR 44, Explorer
388
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 3
Technicality: 2
Photo Grade: 3
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Start Point: NO
283 761
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Overview At the south end of the Carngorms lies the extensive
and beautiful Glen Clova. Mayar and Driesh, the two main peaks to the
south of the valley head are amongst the most popular of all
Scotland's Munros thanks to their relative proximity of the major
cities of the south.
Mayar summit on a cold day - R.Street
The ascent from Glendall Lodge takes in a mix of typical Scottish
Glen, forest and open hillside, with superb views to Lochnagar and
Glenshee - and on a good day you can catch a glimse of the North
Sea.
Section 1: Glen Clova to Mayar
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Distance: 3.6 miles (5.9km)
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Height Gain: 2358ft (719m)
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Average Time: 2 hours 40 mins
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From the main car park head past the farm to cross White Water at the
bridge. Some 100 yards beyond the bridge a gate gives access to a
wide track, with a smaller path heading slightly right into the
trees.
Take this forest track alongside the stream for a mile to a fork.
Take the left hand fork, away from the water and once more up through
the forest to eventually reach a gate opening onto the hillside.
The ground levels somewhat as you cross the cwm ahead, then pull
up the head of the cwm just to the left of the small waterfall. The
path slowly gets harder to follow but leads directly onto the
northern slopes of Mayar,
with the final section being an easy angled, grass covered slope.
Section 2: Mayar to Driesh
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Distance: 2 miles (3.1km)
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Height Gain: 784ft (239m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 10 mins
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From Mayar turn east on the obvious path across the wide expanse of
plateau. The first mile and a half is pleasant, level, walking on
good ground as you approach the col between Little Driesh and Driesh.
Driesh viewed from Mayar - Scott
From the Shank of Drumfollow drop down to the col, then slowly
climb to the trig point marking the summit of Driesh.
Section 3: Driesh to Glen Clova
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Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5km)
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Height Gain: 186t (57m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 30 mins
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From
Driesh retrace your steps initially to the Shank of
Drumfollow, then turn north along the ridge. The ridge follows the
line of the Burn of Kilbo before a gate returns you to the confines
of Gendoll Forest.
Driesh Summit in snowy mode - R.Street
The path now drops steeply through the forest to eventually join
the main track alngside White Water. Turn right here to retrace your
opening few hundred yards to the car park.
