High granite mountains and old pine woods above the River Dee — big, serious hill country
The land rises fast here, from the pines and river flats of upper Deeside onto a great sweep of high, rounded mountains. The scenic area covers 398 square kilometres and holds some of the biggest hill ground in the country, much of it well above the treeline and open to whatever the weather brings.
Lochnagar’s cliffs are famous, with big Munros like Broad Cairn, Cairn Bannoch and Cairn of Claise on the high ground around it. These are long days on rough, exposed ground where cloud and cold can arrive quickly, even in summer.
This is not the place for a first big hill walk. Full waterproofs, a map and compass, and the skill to use them are needed, and winter turns the tops into full mountaineering. Lower down, the paths through the woods and along the Dee make for gentler, safer walking on the many days when the high ground looks grim.
