Definitely one of the most baggable Munros out there, we tell you how.
Walking Route - Lochnagar, Scotland -
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Glen Muick > Meikle
Pap > Lochnagar > Glen Muick
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Average Time: 6 hours 50 mins
*
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Distance: 12.3 miles
(19.8Km)
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Height Gain: 3434 ft
(1047m)
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One of Scotland's most iconic mountains, well loved by
the Royal Family and still easily accessible by normal
walkers.
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Maps: Landranger 44, Active
388
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 2
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 4
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Start Point: NO
310 851
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It's no surprise that the Royal family chose Balmoral for their
holiday cottage and Prince Charles selected Lochnagar as the setting
for his foray into children's books. This famous Scottish landmark is
among the most visually stunning Munros, sitting high above the
picturesque Loch Muick.
Lochnagar, by Justin Maxwell from his
OM
Album
The North East corries are a winter climber's playground but there
are plenty of options for the average walker to summit one of
Scotland's most iconic mountains. It's a long day, but the second
half is all downhill and the effort is more than justified by the
spectacular view.
Section 1: Glen Muick to Meikle Pap
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Distance: 4 miles (6.4Km)
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Height Gain: 1983 ft (604m)
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Average Time: 2 hours 40 mins
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Start from the car park in Glen Muick along the private
continuation of the road to Spittal of Glenmuick and a path junction.
Turn right here alongside a small plantation and cross the River
Muick.
The path now continues through the trees at Allt-na-giubhsaich
before turning west and starting to climb. Continue along this path
as it rises to a col above Glen Gelder then turn slightly left for
the 500ft ascent up to Foxes Well.
Although the main path continues westwards here our route turns
north to gain the summit of Mekle Pap at 3180ft. From here you
get stunning views of the extensive north east corrie of Lochnagar
and the lock itself far below.
Section 2: Meikle Pap to Cac Carn Beag
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Distance: 1.7 miles (2.7Km)
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Height Gain: 1016 ft (310m)
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Average Time: 1 hour 10 mins
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From
Meikle Pap retrace your steps back to the path and turn
south west. Ahead lies a steep 500ft climb up The Ladder to join the
cliff top path. A short drop to a col is followed by a final 250ft
ascent to the summit plateau.
Lochnagar's summit cliffs - Ewan Gilmour's OM
album
Follow the edge of the corrie round past the summit of Cac Carn
Mor and the famous Black Spout gully to the OS trig point at the
summit of Cac Carm Beag - Lochnagar's highest point.
Looking down the massive gulley line of Black
Spout from the summit plateau -
pic by Terry Thomson from his OM
album
Section 3 - Cac Carn Beag to Glen
Muick
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Distance: 6.6 miles (10.7Km)
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Height Gain: 435 ft (133m)
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The summit of Cac Carn Beag is only the halfway point of
this walk, but the majority of the continuation lies downhill. Start
by retracing your steps along the corrie top then divert to the
summit cairn of Cac Carn Mor on a well marked path.
Dropping down from Cac Cairn Mor - Mark Fraser's OM
album
Leave the summit heading south west but after a few yards turn
south east at a junction in the paths. The route is now a
straightforward descent to join the Glas Allt. After two miles you
reach the falls of the Glasallt, where a zig zag path takes you
steeply downhill on the descent to Glas-allt-shiel.
Loch Muick - Ewan Gilmour again from his
OM
album
Cross the river before reaching the small pier and follow the
private road along the northern side of Loch Muick to the far end of
the loch. As you reach the boat house turn right and continue to a
footbridge over the river, then turn left along a well marked path
back to the Spittal of Glenmuick and the last 250 yards to
your starting point.
Note: Average time ratings are calculated for a notional
average walker and take height gain into account. You may be faster
or slower than the notional average, but they provide a starting
point.
