Situated entirely in the Royal Balmoral Estate, Lochnagar is an impressive monolith of granite, with a craggy northern coire overlooking the dark Lochnagar pool, from which the mountain takes its modern name. However, the mountain has an interesting history with its name. Originally known as Beinn nan Ciochan, or the 'Hill of the Paps' due to its twin rounded tops, its name is thought to have become Lochnagar after a visit by Queen Victoria, when a gillie was too embarrassed to give the highest point on the summit its true Gaelic name, Cac Carn Beag, or 'little pile of shit' as its English translation would have been!
From once being the private estate of royalty, the mountain now sees many visitors throughout the year, and has many literary & cultural references in poems, stories and movies. The views from the summit provide a spectacular panorama across the Royal estate, and further afield across the Cairngorms and out towards Aberdeenshire.
From once being the private estate of royalty, the mountain now sees many visitors throughout the year, and has many literary & cultural references in poems, stories and movies. The views from the summit provide a spectacular panorama across the Royal estate, and further afield across the Cairngorms and out towards Aberdeenshire.
Our day begins at the Spittal of Glen Muick (Pronounced 'Mick'), a few miles to the East of Lochnagar. Crossing the Glen Muick valley floor, we soon begin to slowly climb along one of the many estate tracks in the area, running parallel to the Allt na-guibhsaich burn. After a few miles of climbing we venture off the larger estate track on to the footpath which will take us to Lochnagar. Continuing to climb we emerge at a small saddle between the eastern flank of Lochnagar and the smaller shoulder peak of Meikle Pap, which makes a short but worthy detour. From the summit of Meikle Pap you get some of the best views possible of Lochnagar's northern coire.
Returning from our short detour we begin the final push towards the summit plateau of Lochnagar up a short sharp climb. Once the steepness is passed, we are treated to a lovely rising traverse around the rim of the coire, slowly climbing to the twin summits, which give the mountain its original Gaelic name. The two tops stand at 1150m and 1156m, and provide expansive views across the Balmoral Estate and the wider Cairngorms.
After a little time soaking up the views from the summit, we turn and head south-eastward, following the tumbling burn of Glas Allt, although there are numerous options to extend the walk, if desired, to include other local Munros. We follow the burn for a couple of miles down the mountainside until we arrive at Falls of Glasallt as the burn dives in to a small ravine. Soon after reaching the bottom of the falls we come to Glas Allt Shiel, a hunting lodge originally built for Queen Victoria, situated on the banks of Loch Muick, and beautifully tucked amongst a small woodland of Scots Pine. The final stretch of our walk follows the loch side track around the northern side of Loch Muick back to the Spittal of Glen Muick.
Returning from our short detour we begin the final push towards the summit plateau of Lochnagar up a short sharp climb. Once the steepness is passed, we are treated to a lovely rising traverse around the rim of the coire, slowly climbing to the twin summits, which give the mountain its original Gaelic name. The two tops stand at 1150m and 1156m, and provide expansive views across the Balmoral Estate and the wider Cairngorms.
After a little time soaking up the views from the summit, we turn and head south-eastward, following the tumbling burn of Glas Allt, although there are numerous options to extend the walk, if desired, to include other local Munros. We follow the burn for a couple of miles down the mountainside until we arrive at Falls of Glasallt as the burn dives in to a small ravine. Soon after reaching the bottom of the falls we come to Glas Allt Shiel, a hunting lodge originally built for Queen Victoria, situated on the banks of Loch Muick, and beautifully tucked amongst a small woodland of Scots Pine. The final stretch of our walk follows the loch side track around the northern side of Loch Muick back to the Spittal of Glen Muick.
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Key Information: Group Size: Up to 8 Distance: 19km/12miles. Ascent: 950m Time: 7-9 hours |
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Price:
First person - £130, plus £20pp thereafter*:
Included in the Cost:
Optional Extras:
Advice and logistical support towards transportation and/or accommodation can be arranged at additional cost. Please let Terra Via know at the time of booking if required.
To Make a booking please use the Contact Us page to get in touch.
First person - £130, plus £20pp thereafter*:
- 1 Person = £130
- 2 People = £150
- 3 People = £170, etc...
Included in the Cost:
- Full days guidance by a qualified Mountain Leader,
- Waterproof map of the area for each attendee,
- Group access to any photos taken during the day.
Optional Extras:
Advice and logistical support towards transportation and/or accommodation can be arranged at additional cost. Please let Terra Via know at the time of booking if required.
To Make a booking please use the Contact Us page to get in touch.
If there are any other walks you are interested in, please don't hesitate to Contact Us to discuss your requirements.
Payments are to be ideally made via Direct Brank Transfer or Paypal.
* There is 10% non-refundable deposit included within the stated prices to cover costs incurred upon unforced cancellation.
For full details please see Terms & Conditions.