AROUND THE CABRACH

Note. There are timber harvesting operations underway here at the moment, ( April 2008 ) so the Forestry Commission section at the start may not be passable. (It is not a right of way so they are allowed to close the road for safety). At the least be aware of timber lorries and possible hold ups.

This is a pleasant and scenic all day ride across open moorland with some good views from the slopes of Cook's Cairn. Quite a bit of wildlife to see  including large herds of deer. There is no way-marking at all on this route.

Location: The Cabrach is a large area of moorland, between Dufftown and Rhynie.

Map: Mostly on Landranger #37: Strathdon but the start is on Landranger #28: Elgin and Dufftown.

Distance: Eighteen miles; allow five or six hours.

Going: Some good estate tracks suitable for fast trotting; the higher moorland tracks are rougher and more stony.

Caution: This is quite remote countryside and you climb to nearly 2,000' so check the weather forecast and take spare clothing as well as a packed lunch. The Cabrach Estate is used for deer-stalking and grouse shooting so you should avoid the eastern track past Blackwater Lodge during the shooting season. (There is no shooting on Sundays).

Access & Parking: There is a small parking space at the end of the forest road where it joins the A941 Dufftown - Rhynie road at grid reference NJ 352342. There are also two lay-bys a couple of hundred yards north on the public road.

Follow the forest road and pass through a narrow gate into the forest and continue uphill. Turn left at the junction and then through a gate, (which is probably open) and continue downhill to another gate onto open moorland. Turn left onto the estate road and after one mile bear right at the fork. Continue on to Blackwater Lodge. This section of the route has the best surface so it is worth trotting on as much of the rest of the route is stony enough that you will probably want to walk most of it.

Immediately after the lodge, which is ruined, bear left and follow the track across the river and continue southwards for one mile. At the staggered cross-roads turn right, ford the stream again and start the long climb up over Blackwater Forest and the shoulder of Cook's Cairn. The descent on the far side is steep and stony in places. This track is known as the Steplar Road and is an ancient right of way.

The ruins at Suie are a good spot for lunch as you can tie the horses up to the fence posts and there may even be some grass. Retrace your steps northwards for a hundred yards and bear left onto a narrow and rougher land-rover track. Stay on this track for the next five miles, ignoring the track on your left after a couple of miles. This undulates a bit, crosses the burn several times and takes you through an attractive ravine. This track is also a right of way and may be ridden at any time.

Eventually you come to a junction * by a plantation of large pine trees. Turn right here, climb steadily uphill for a mile then at the quarry turn left, pass through the gate, and return along your outward route.

*The right of Way continues to the left here and follows the track beside the Fiddich to the main road.

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