Bennachie West End

Description

Parking on unmade track off Keig - Auchleven road.

Route goes up through new forest and joins Gordon Way. Lots of options and paths. This is Sue's original route.

WEST BENNACHIE FROM BRINDY Distance approx 12km with 375m of ascent

Start/Finish at Sheet 37 Strathdon & Alford Grid Ref NJ614212

From parking area [1] go through gate and head directly uphill on grassy track to 2nd gate. Go through and continue uphill for a short distance then take grassy track on right which contours round the hill, rising all the time. When you reach a junction with birch trees turn left uphill, almost doubling back on yourself. Continue uphill along the edge of the forest with fields and a fence to your right. [2] As the track flattens out you turn right through a wide opening (open gate) in a fence and continue straight uphill. Continue on this wide track as it takes a right bend until you emerge from the forest and follow the track up to the top of Corrie Hill. At corner of wood [3] take narrow path along edge of wood (either side of fence is OK). Emerge on wide forest road [4] (Gordon Way straight ahead). Turn right along forest road. At bend [5] turn uphill and follow narrow track through heather on right beside stone wall. Before this goes right through a fence, follow a narrow path left towards the trees [6]. You emerge on a forest road. Turn left. At next junction turn right [7] and follow broad track to highest point. Immediately after you will see a trig point to your right (Black Hill) – the path is beside a conifer bush. [8] Go to this and then follow rough track across heather moorland ignoring paths off to right.

When you arrive at a wide track [9] continue straight across on track through heather to reach junction with Gordon Way. Cross stile and follow very faint track on left along the fence to reach fence corner and then right on slightly wider path to Hermit Seat. [10] (From summit a longer route across moor to Watch Craig and back along the Gordon Way is an option)

From summit return to fence and cross this taking path off to right which rejoins the narrow Gordon Way path. [11] Turn right. Follow to main track and turn right down Gordon Way to a T junction [12] and go sharp right to descend a steep forest track. Part way down turn right [13] to take in a short loop which brings you back onto the same track. Continue downhill, through an open gate [14] and turn right (view to Auchleven). 150 metres farther down turn left by an old gate post [15] into rough grass/forest and follow faint track through woods to bring you back to Gordon Way and the top of Corrie Hill. [3] Turn right and run down grassy path beside fence which steepens and turns left [16] (GW goes straight ahead). Continue down this grassy track (watch out for rabbit holes to left hand side) through gate and back to parking.

Map Reference

Notes

Remember your recommended (“essential”) kit: map, compass, whistle, mobile phone, full body cover, hat, gloves, warm top.

This map is not currently available.

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