Lochnagar Loop

Starting from the Glen Muick car park, continue along the main path past the toilets and the wee visitor centre. Turn right at the sign for Lochnagar.

Continue along the path until you reach an abandoned house - take the small path to the left of the house and continue up into the woods. Soon you will exit the woods onto open terrain and a sandy path, veer left and continue to follow this track, there is a burn crossing, the water can be quite high at times, and you’re not guaranteed dry feet!! The path becomes more rocky as you gradually ascend, watch your footing!

You will eventually come to a cairn and a fork in the road, take the narrower path to the left, there is a small drop-down and then the real ascent begins!

Follow the path up to the col, where you will get a marvellous view of the Dubh Loch with Lochnagar looming above it. Take the less defined path to the left through the boulders and continue on upwards!

When you reach a flatter section, veer to the right and follow the small cairns that mark the way to the summit, you will come across a small section of steps and then a flatter section before reaching the summit cairn and trig. Take in the glorious views and then retrace your steps to the stairs section where you will see a rocky path veering off to the right.

You will descend on this path all the way down to a bridge where you turn left and follow alongside the burn to a waterfall and then down further to the Bothy at the lochside via a small wooded section. At this point the GPX takes you left at the bothy, round the north side of Loch Muick on an easy gravel track all the way back to the car park. However, if you still have life left in your legs and fancy a more technical trail and a marginally longer distance then turn right at the bothy and follow the Loch round to the south side, to find a small beach and another wee waterfall, continuing all the way back to the car park.