Where to ride
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GLEN TANAR TO THE HOUSE OF MARK
The route takes you from Glen Tanar, near Aboyne,
over Mount Keen to Glen Esk where you stay overnight and then back again
the same way. This ride is a straightforward and spectacular introduction
to hill riding, but currently there is no accommodation at the head of
Glen Esk as the House of Mark is now closed. Location: Glen Tanar in Deeside. Map: Landranger 44, Ballater Distance: About 15 miles one way. Going: Estate roads and hill tracks, very steep and stony in places. Access & Parking: Start at the car-park at Glen Tanar, NGR NO 480965, where you can leave the trailer.
Hazards. A high
mountain route, for experienced hill-riders only.
The distance is about 15
miles each way, but with a climb of about 2000’ onto the shoulder of Mount
Keen, then down again on the far side.
Start at the car-park at Glen
Tanar, NGR NO 480965, where you can leave the trailer. Best to ring the
warden first, 013398 86451, to check there are no problems.
You pass through ancient
pinewoods for several miles, following a good landrover track beside the
river Tanar. Just after the Half Way Hut, the trees suddenly finish and
you come out onto open moorland. Still following the track you continue
upstream for another four miles to a meadow at the Shiel of Glentanar.
This is a good spot for lunch and is the last water for several miles.
After fording the river you
follow a very steep and stony track uphill – a long unrelenting climb.
Near the top you fork right onto a narrow path and head due south passing
below the summit of Mount Keen. After descending gently for a mile you
rejoin a very good new path which eventually leads you back onto another
land rover track. Just before a couple of sharp zig-zags you can bear
right onto the heather to the summit of a small hill called Couternach, NO
412838. This is a dramatic and spectacular spot for afternoon tea.
Back to the track and follow
downhill, crossing another two fords. At Glenmark you reach the valley
floor and keeping to the left bank of the stream you pass the Queen’s Well
and eventually reach Glen Esk. The House of Mark is no longer a
guest-house and currently there is no accomodation at the head of the
Glen. Next day you can either return by the same route, or if you stay
for an extra night there are several circular routes you can take around
upper Glen Esk.
This is a reasonably
straightforward but high altitude route with good paths and tracks. There
is no mobile phone coverage in Glen Esk so you must be fully equipped for
poor weather and all the hazards of hill-walking. You should not undertake
this route if you do not have previous hill-walking or mountaineering
experience. |