Ballater Walking Festival - Ballochbuie Forest, Honka Hut & Garbh Allt Waterfall - Bridge Street

Easy Walk

Depart from Green Hut Ballater at 10am by bus. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Approximate Distance. 10km
Approximate Ascent. 185m
Approximate Walking Time. 4 hours
Landranger Map no. 43/44

Leaving from Keiloch car park, we cross the road to the old Invercauld Bridge, also known as the Old Military bridge, which dates back to 1753. This was built by Major Caulfeild as part of the military road connecting Perthshire, through the mountains, to Speyside. We make our way up through beautiful ancient Caledonian pinewoods, looking west down onto the Dee Valley and head to the Honka Hut, set in a peaceful location in the woods, adjacent to some ponds. Our route then continues gently upwards on forestry roads to the stunning Garbh Allt falls, its waters cascading down the valley from pool to pool. We then head down to the Garbh Allt Shiel, a charming rustic cottage and former home of Balmoral Estates head stalker, Charles McIntosh. After passing the white suspension bridge, we will walk back along the River Dee to our starting point.

This is a picturesque walk through the Ballochbuie Forest on the Balmoral Estate, with stunning views across the River Dee.

TERRAIN: Paths are mainly on mature Land Rover tracks.