Balmoral Walks - Scenic Walks and Rugged Hikes Around The Balmoral Estate

Scotland is made for walking vacations and walking vacation around the Balmoral Estate combines several favorite pastimes:

• exceptional walks
• a glimpse at Scotland's Victorian Royal Heritage and
• a chance for some Royal watching.

Walks on and around the Balmoral Estate range from easy, guided walks only available when Balmoral Castle and Gardens are open to the public, to challenging mountain and loch hikes, available year round, weather permitting.

From April through July, Balmoral's rangers leaded two-hour guided woodland walks around the estate. The walks cover two to three miles an are included in the price of admission to the estate. The rangers also lead several themed walking and hiking events throughout the summer and fall. These range from gentle walks to ascents of Lochnagar. The schedule changes annually and prices vary.

For more information

Contact the Balmoral Ranger Service
Telephone:+44 (0)13397 42534
Email:info@balmoralcastle.com
Visit their website

Loch Muick, on the Balmoral Estate at the base of Lochnagar, is surrounded by relatively easy tracks and is also the start of several longer and challenging hikes into the hills to the south and up Lochnagar itself. The hike around Loch Muick is about five miles and passes a cottage built for Queen Victoria before a waterfall,the Glasalt falls.

The Loch is at the head of Glen Muick, accessible by walkers, cyclists and car tourers, off the South Deeside Road, near Ballater. There is a small car park at the end of the public road at the Spittal of Glen Muick.

For more information

Visit Scotland
Trail head map

Lochnagar is one of the mountains referred to in Scotland as The Munros. These are mountains that are more than 3,000 feet tall. The mountain was the subject of a poem,Lochnagar by Byron, and a children's book, The Old Man of Lochnagar, by Prince Charles.

There is an 8 mile hiking circuit, to the summit of Lochnagar and back from the Spittal of Glen Muick Visitors Centre. The route is moderately challenging in warmer weather - taking about seven hours - but can be covered with snow and ice from November to May.

For more information

Visit Scotland
Walking World
Trailhead map
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