Craigendarroch – The Steep Little Hill Behind Ballater
About 2 miles on foot.
Craigendarroch is the steep, wooded hill that rises straight out of the back of Ballater, and its summit path starts in the village square.
It's a short, sharp climb through old oaks and pines to a rocky top with Lochnagar across the valley, then back down for lunch in the old royal station. It suits anyone fit and steady on their feet, older children who walk well, and dogs.
- Time
- About two hours up and back from Station Square.
- The path
- Mostly narrow, earthy paths, steep and rocky.
- Where to start
- The council's Station Square car parks in Ballater, front (16 spaces, 2 disabled) and rear (28): free with a voluntary charge by RingGo or PayByPhone.
- Set off
- The summit path is waymarked and signposted from Station Square.
- When to go
- Open ground at all hours in daylight; from November to February start up by 1pm. The Rothesay Rooms opens Wednesday to Sunday.
- Dogs
- On a short lead or close at heel, above all from April to August, when birds nest on the ground.
- Children
- Steep and rocky near the top: for older children who walk well, kept close on the rocks.
- Toilets
- Public toilets in the village; none on the hill.
- Before you set out
- From November to February start up by 1pm to be down before dark. The rocks are slippery after rain.
The walk
Park in one of the council's two car parks on Station Square, by the Old Royal Station in the middle of Ballater. Both are free, with a voluntary charge by RingGo or PayByPhone. Craigendarroch, the 'rocky hill of the oaks', is the steep wooded hill right behind the village, and its summit path is waymarked and signposted from the square.
It's 3.2 km there and back from the square, and the Park Authority allows two hours: a steady climb on narrow earthy paths that turn steep and rocky near the top, under oak, Scots pine and birch. From the top you look down on the village and the Dee, with Lochnagar across the valley on a clear day. Wear boots with a good grip, as the rocks are slippery after rain, and keep a dog on a short lead or close at heel.
From November to February start up by 1pm to be down before dark.
If it rains
Leave the climb for a dry spell: the rocky top is slippery after rain and in cloud the view is gone. On a wet morning take the Craigendarroch Circular instead, the lower path round the hill under the oaks, or go straight to lunch.
Afterwards
The Rothesay Rooms
Lunch
Lunch is back on Station Square, in the Old Royal Station, where the Rothesay Rooms café sits among the restored waiting rooms. It opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with mains from noon to 3.30pm: a venison burger, Isle of Mull mac and cheese or a Scottish platter, and a children's menu. Ring 01339 753816 for a table at the weekend. On Mondays and Tuesdays, or if it's full, the Bridge House Café, a few minutes' walk south by the bridge over the Dee, usually opens every day, 10am to 4.30pm.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Darroch Learg in Ballater.
Book a table on 01339 753816 for a weekend lunch.
For further reading, before you go.