YOUR GUIDE TO OUR SUMMER WALKS

To book any of the walks below, please email stocketshost@gmail.com or phone the walk host.

SGOR MOR or AN SGARSOCH

Since many people are on holiday in July, we have not organised a bus walk, but will instead plan a walk by car (which will also allow an 8am start from the Old Mile End School). This is still an official club walk and you should book via  the Stockethost email. Jim, as walk host, will arrange car sharing and those who are assigned to drive will be compensated.

We will also take the opportunity to offer a 'cycle-in' option to attempt two remote Munros, but there will be a shorter, non-cycling alternative. Hopefully both groups will meet up at the pub afterwards.

Shorter Walk: leader Liz Jackson

1 Corbett, 14 km (9 miles)

700m ascent, walk duration 6 hrs with stops.

This walk is very suitable for anyone who came on our Introduction to Hill Walking day and who wants to extend their range a bit.

The walk starts at the Linn of Dee (064897) car park and heads W to White Bridge, and then continues NW (without crossing the river) to around 000897. From here we climb N to the summit of Sgor Mor (007914). The walk then follows the ridge E to Sgor Dubh (with good views N to the Cairngorms), before descending SE over Carn an ‘lc Duibhe to join the track at 897056 and head back to the car park.

When booking for this walk (at stocketshost@gmail.com), please indicate if you are willing to bring your car and, if so, how many passengers you could take.

Longer Walk

2 Munros, 16 km (10 miles)

900m ascent, walk/cycle duration 8-9 hrs with stops

We will also start at Linn of Dee (064897) and cycle W to White Bridge, cross the bridge (which isn’t white) and continue SW and then W to Geldie Lodge (955867). This is around 13km (8m) of cycling on a rough (but fairly flat) Land Rover track. Leaving the bikes at Geldie Lodge (or maybe at the crossing of the Geldie Burn) we continue on foot, first W on a path and then S to the summit of An Sgarsoch (933837). We then follow the ridge first SW then NW to Carn an Fhidhleir (905842). This summit marks the meeting point of the old counties of Aberdeenshire, Invernessshire and Perthshire and was once the site of horse fairs. We descend N and, once on low ground, turn E to pick up the outward path back to Geldie Lodge for the cycle back to Linn of Dee.

You will need to provide your own bike for this walk. If you don't own one (and can't borrow) you will need to hire. I am told that there are no bike shops in Aberdeen which do this and I suggest you contact Cyclehighlands in Ballater (http://www.cyclehighlands.com/; 013397 55864); the cost is £16 for the day. I have made an arrangement with them for us to return bikes after their normal closing time of 5:30 pm (as we are highly unlikely to be back by then). When you book the bike, please tell them that you are with the Stockets.

When booking with us for the walk (at stocketshost@gmail.com), please indicate if you are willing to bring your car and, if so, how many people and/or bikes you could transport Also please indicate if you have your own (or borrowed) bike or if you will be hiring from Cyclehighlands. If you are bringing a bike from Aberdeen, also indicate if you can get your bike to Mid Stocket Road or if you need picking up elsewhere.

The logistics of co-coordinating bike transport could get complicated, so please book early and let us know as soon as possible if your plans change.
 

JOCK’S ROAD

Main Walk: 21 km (13 miles), 700m ascent, walk duration 7 - 8 hours with stops

 This walk follows Jock’s Road, which is one of the old passes through the Grampian Mountains from Glen Glova to Braemar.

Starting from the head of Glen Clova (286760), the route heads W and then NW, passing a shelter at 234777 and climbing to the highest point at Crow Craigies (223798), before descending to Loch Callater. From Loch Callater Lodge and bothy (178844), we follow the track NW down the glen to Auchallater (155883) where the bus should be waiting.

Alternatives

This is a through walk and there is no shorter alternative. However, it is possible to detour from the main walk to ascend some of the adjacent Munros with little extra climbing. These include Tom Buidhe (214787) and Tolmount (211800) to the W of the pass or Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (208843) to the E.

BEINN MHEADHION

The ascent of Beinn Mheadhion is a long walk, and we need to set a fairly fast pace to ensure we get back to the bus in time. Those with any doubt about their fitness or stamina are strongly advised to just climb Derry Cairngorm, which is still a serious and demanding Munro.

Long Walk: 1 or 2 Munros, 30 km (19 m), 900/1100m ascent, walk duration around 9 hours with stops

 Starting from Linn of Dee (898064), we take the familiar Derry Road N and NW to Derry Lodge (041935) where we cross the footbridge and then continue N up Glen Derry to the path junction at 035990. From here we climb NW passed the Hutchison Memorial Hut up to the corner of Loch Etchachan (013004) and then NE over several tors to the summit of Beinn Mheadhion (024017). We return to Loch Etchachan and then retrace our steps to Linn of Dee or continue S over Derry Cairngorm (017981) before descending S to Derry Lodge via Carn Crom (slighlty shorter, but with more climbing).

Shorter Walk: 1 Munro, 20 km (13 m), 900m ascent, walk duration around 7 hours with stops

 A shorter alternative is just to ascend Derry Cairngorm, from Derry Lodge, following the above descent route. This route can easily be curtailed by tuning back at any point if required.

To book any of the walks above, please email stocketshost@gmail.com or phone the walk host.

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This site was last updated by Sylvie on 24/08/2010