AUCHTAVAN
Easy Walk
Depart from Green Hut Ballater at 10am by bus. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Approximate Distance. 10.5 km
Approximate Ascent. 292 m
Approximate Walking Time. 3 - 4hrs
Landranger Map no. 44
DESCRIPTION
A pleasant walk through birch woods and open moor, with wonderful views of Lochnagar, visiting one of the late Queen Mother's favourite spots.
We walk from the layby at Inver on a tarmac road, following the Feardar Burn, soon passing on to a Land Rover track. We pass Balno, Balmore and cross the Feardar Burn by Ratlich Mill and the ancient settlement of Loin, arriving at Auchtavan, where the views are spectacular. Here we reach three restored buildings - the Queen Mothers Picnic House, a Horse Mill, and Hingin Lum Cottage.
After a sheltered coffee break, well retrace our steps as far as the small stream. We then turn left, ascending a little past the Loin ruins and crossing over a flattish grassland area to meet with a track above the tree line. We follow this track downhill, which gives great views over to Lochnagar and eventually drops down onto our inward track to retrace our steps back to the bus.
TERRAIN
Walking poles recommended as part of the return section is a little rough and may be wet underfoot. There is also a small burn to cross descending into Auchtavan.