📌 Braemar, Aberdeenshire
★★★
A short but steep, ascent of Creag Choinnich is the first part of this pretty walk, which goes on to encircle the hill’s base. En route there are plenty of interesting landmarks: the towering rock walls of the Lion’s Face (although whoever called it that evidently hadn’t seen a lion before), and the seemingly out-of-place war trenches dug alongside the A93 on the approach to Braemar Castle – itself worth exploring when open to visitors. And Braemar village too, which is packed with good pubs, gift shops and Highland charm.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Balnellan Road, Braemar village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 152914
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.005688,-3.398302
🚌 Bus to Braemar
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 7 km / 4 mi | ▲ 340 m | ⌛ 2.5-3 hr
Features: 🏠 Braemar ★★; △ Creag Choinnich (538 m); ⛰️ Lion’s Face; ✞ WWII trenches; 🏰 Braemar Castle ★★★
⬤ Moderate | Good paths almost throughout with occasional rougher sections; steep for the ascent to and descent from Creag Choinnich.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start & Braemar – Craig Choinnich by southwest slope – descend to southeast – Dubh Chlais – Lion’s Face – quarry entrance at 🧭 NO 169919 – WWII trenches – Braemar Castle – rejoin outward route at 🧭 NO 157914 – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Thousands of wood ants and their earthen mounds in the trees. Cuckoos heard at Dubh Chlais; large bird of prey circling above the Lion’s Face.
Weather: Hot and sunny in Braemar beyond drizzle and low cloud further east – 20°C by the end of the walk. Still plenty of snow on higher hills.
May 2013
