NO3696 : Wooded slopes of Craigendarroch hill above the Dee
Strenuous; steep, narrow and rocky woodland paths

Craigendarroch

402m Elevation
159m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NO3696 : Wooded slopes of Craigendarroch hill above the Dee

Alan Reid Photo source

Overview

Craigendarroch is a 401.6 m Marilyn immediately above Ballater, with steep wooded slopes and views over the River Dee towards Lochnagar. Its summit is a rock outcrop near the viewpoint indicator, reached by a strenuous waymarked woodland climb.

Craigendarroch

Craigendarroch rises to 401.6 m immediately above Ballater. This Marilyn has 158.9 m of prominence. Its name means “rocky hill of oaks”, reflecting the woodland that clothes its slopes.

Summit and routes

The natural high point is an outcrop 5 m southeast of the viewpoint indicator at NO 36559 96523. The large cairn is a separate viewpoint about 25 m south of the indicator. Stay on the established summit paths: the ground southeast of the cairn is steep and dangerous.

Two full circuits start and finish at Station Square. The Community HUB’s black-arrow summit route is 3.3 km, allowing 2 hours. It descends north/northeast from the summit and turns right on reaching the lower circular path. Walkhighlands describes a longer 4.5 km summit circuit with 250 m of ascent, taking 1½–2 hours; its return turns left at that junction and passes above the Pass of Ballater.

The separately named Craigendarroch Circular follows the lower slopes and does not reach the summit. Use the summit signs when the top is your objective. CNPA grades the summit walk strenuous, with steep, narrow, rocky paths and steps.

Woodland and geology

NatureScot identifies Craigendarroch as an upland-oakwood SSSI, first notified in 1971. Much of the oak woodland occupies the south and west slopes; pine and birch grow on the north and east. The ancient wood includes trees that were probably planted. Blaeberry, cowberry and mosses occur in the ground layer.

The British Geological Survey places the hill in the Ballater Granite intrusion. The rock here is typically pink, medium- to coarse-grained granite with larger feldspar crystals. Quartz veins and a sheet of finer-grained granite occur in the southern crags.

Access and facilities

Use the public car parks at Station Square for the village start. Aberdeenshire Council currently lists free spaces with voluntary parking charges. Ballater has shops and cafés, and public toilets at The Square with accessible facilities and baby changing. Stagecoach’s 201 corridor links Aberdeen, Ballater and Braemar; check the operator’s current timetable and return service.

Conditions

Wet granite slabs, tree roots and uneven steps can be slippery. The longer circuit passes above steep drops at the Pass of Ballater. Ice makes these short walks much more serious; turn back if footing is unsafe.

Check local path notices before setting out and follow any temporary forestry signs. The National Park’s separate Seven Bridges riverside closure is outside these hill circuits. Do not light fires in the woodland. The National Park’s seasonal ban on campfires and wood/charcoal barbecues runs from 1 April to 30 September each year.

Explore routes near Craigendarroch

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

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Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

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Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

View route

Cairngorms night walk and stargazing (event meeting)

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Craigendarroch summit: black-arrow circuit from Ballater

Start and finish at Station Square. Take Braemar Road west to Craigendarroch Walk, then the signed woodland path through the gate. Follow the black-arrow summit signs left and uphill, turning right at the next signed summit junction. Climb rocky steps to the cairn, then continue 25 m north to the viewpoint indicator; the highest outcrop is 5 m southeast of the indicator. Avoid the dangerous ground southeast of the cairn. Descend north/northeast past the small lochan, turn right where the lower circular path is reached, and follow the waymarks down the rocky bends. Take the signed short rising link on the right to regain the wider track and original woodland junction. Return along Craigendarroch Walk and Braemar Road. The Community HUB gives 3.3 km and 2 hours for its summit-viewpoint circuit.

3.3 km ~2 hours Strenuous; steep, rocky woodland paths

Craigendarroch summit with Pass of Ballater return

From the old railway station car park in Station Square, follow Braemar Road west, Craigendarroch Walk and the woodland path. Take the signed summit branch through steep oakwoods and rocky steps, continuing beyond the large cairn to the summit viewpoint. DoBIH locates the highest outcrop 5 m southeast of the indicator. Descend the far side to the junction with the path around the hill. Turn left for the longer return above the Pass of Ballater, taking care beside the steep drop. Follow its zigzags and then the contouring path through pine and oak woodland to the earlier summit junction. Continue downhill on the outward approach and return to Station Square. Walkhighlands gives 4.5 km, 250 m of ascent and 1½–2 hours for its summit-viewpoint circuit.

4.5 km Strenuous; steep paths and exposed drops
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 400-499m hill

Elevation

402m

1,318 ft

Prominence

159m

Coordinates

57.0555, -3.0475

NO365965

OS Map

37 44

Explorer: OL53N OL59W 388N 405W

At the Summit

The highest point is an outcrop 5 m southeast of the viewpoint indicator at NO 36559 96523. The large cairn is a separate viewpoint about 25 m south of the indicator.

Terrain & Geology

Steep woodland paths exposed roots granite slabs and uneven rock steps; the longer circular return passes above steep drops.

Craigendarroch is part of the Ballater Granite intrusion. The British Geological Survey describes pink, medium- to coarse-grained granite with larger feldspar crystals here, with quartz veins and a sheet of finer-grained granite in the southern crags.

Views & Scenery

In clear weather, look over Ballater and the River Dee towards Lochnagar’s northern corrie and cliffs.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Craigendarroch means “rocky hill of oaks”.

Historical Significance

Craigendarroch’s upland oak woodland was first notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1971. NatureScot describes an ancient wood, although many surviving trees were probably planted.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use the public car parks at Station Square, Ballater, for the village-start summit circuits. Aberdeenshire Council lists front and rear car parks with free spaces and voluntary parking charges. Follow the signs and keep access clear.

Public Transport

Stagecoach service 201 links Aberdeen, Ballater and Braemar. Check the operator’s current timetable for the journey and return service; start the walk in central Ballater.

Nearby Facilities

Shops and cafés are in Ballater. Public toilets at The Square provide disabled access and baby changing; the council lists seasonal opening hours. Carry drinking water for the hill.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep, dangerous ground lies southeast of the large cairn and information panel; keep to the established summit paths.
  • Wet granite slabs, exposed tree roots and uneven rock steps can be slippery on both ascent and descent.
  • The longer return above the Pass of Ballater runs beside steep drops.

Seasonal Hazards

Ice on the granite steps, slabs and roots can make the steep paths unsafe; turn back if footing is insecure. Follow local woodland and forestry notices. Do not light campfires in the woodland. The National Park’s seasonal ban on campfires and wood/charcoal barbecues runs from 1 April to 30 September each year.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Craigendarroch?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Craigendarroch through the maps

Are there other walkers around Craigendarroch?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Craigendarroch search or of course create your own walk for Craigendarroch

Can I organise a walk to Craigendarroch?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Craigendarroch.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Craigendarroch?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Craigendarroch location map

Grid reference: NO365965

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