Pannanich Hill from Ballater

Moderate circular walk of 9 miles/ 14.5 km. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - please contact the walk leader David using the contact details above to book, or if you have any questions, by the Thursday evening prior to the walk.

Meeting point will be Church Square Car Park, Ballater. OS Landranger Map 44, NO369957, AB35 5NE. 

Pannanich Hill overlooks Ballater and the Dee valley from the south. Pannanich marks the end of a long ridge of hills stretching north from Mount Keen, the easternmost of all the Munros. 

We cross the bridge over the Dee and head into the woods following the signs for the Bridge of Muick. There is a way-marked path that runs parallel to the road which keeps us off the road. Just before the Bridge of Muick we take the path signposted Balintober.

We follow the track until you reach a T junction, at the junction turn right and go through the gate. Follow the land rover track as it winds steeply uphill, At the crossroads turn left towards Craig Vallich but before reaching Craig Vallich we take the track to the right. This will lead to a mix of boundary fences.  Following the fences will lead to Pannanich Hill (601 metres). There are excellent views from here.

From there we head down towards the trees on the left hand side and enter the woods. We pass by the House of Glenmuick, a large sporting lodge on the Glenmuick Estate, before following the track as it winds back to the way-marked path we were on at the start of the walk and head back into Ballater.  

The route is mostly on good path and track, but can be a bit muddy. This is a popular mountain bike trail and the tyres have churned up the path in places.  Also there is a particularly muddy area in the woods. Gaiters advised if you have them.