Glenshee, Glen of the Fairies

8 Walks commencing from the Spittal of Glenshee

To get the most out of your visit to Glenshee we strongly suggest you get out and about even on the shortest walks to truly appreciate this special place the fairies call home. Please note all times are suggested only and are based on casual walking times. Use OS Landranger 43 Braemar and Blair Atholl, or OS Explorer 387 Glen Shee and Braemar.

EASY

1) Dalmunzie Driveway
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1 hour

The walk to the Dalmunzie Hotel and Golf Course is very pleasant, flat, and easy to follow. Simply take your time walking to the Hotel and back enjoying the peace of the glen.

2) Glenlochsie Farm from Dalmunzie Hotel
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 20 minutes

From the hotel walk on the road running alongside until you clear the forest. From here you can enjoy wonderful views of Gleann Taitneach on your right. Continue up to the cottages with Glen Lochsie on your left and return the same way. The farm houses mark the end of the road with hundreds of wild & uninhabited square miles beyond.

MODERATE

3) Glenlochsie Lodge (old railway line)
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 1½-2 hours

Follow walk 1 and then walk 2 up to Glenlochsie Farm. When the road ends in a T, turn left through the white gate onto the four wheel drive road. Simply follow this for its entire length  crossing the river several times until you reach the ruins of the lodge. It was used for hunting parties as a base and marks a spectacular point where two burns tumble into one. From the lodge walk up the northern burn for 30 yards finding your way across to the old railway line. It was built into the hillside in the 1920’s and offers amazing views as you return along its length including an old bridge across a waterfall. The line ends in a zig-zag which returns the line down to the level of the four wheel drive road which you follow back to the hotel. Note: If there has been heavy rain the river may be difficult to cross. If so use the railway line to get to the lodge and back. It should be clearly visible on your right just before the first river ford.

4) Gleann Taitneach
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 2½-3 hours

A truly spectacular walk up a glaciated glen. Follow walk 1 and then walk 2 but turn right through the white gate after you leave the forest behind the hotel. Follow the path down to and along the burn until you reach a bridge. Cross over and walk up to a four wheel drive road. From here turn left and follow the road until it peters out into a rough path. (See walk 8 to go beyond here). To get home just retrace your tracks. However for a round trip instead of returning via the Dalmunzie drive, do not cross back over the bridge, instead continue following the track keeping the burn to your right to finish back at the Spittal of Glenshee church. There is plenty of evidence of cottage footings along this route and keep your eyes open for mountain hares, deer and eagles.

5) Forest Walk
Distance: 3½ miles
Time: 2-2½  hours

Follow the Glenbeag Mountain Lodges sign up the forestry driveway, go through the gate and continue towards the forest. Go through the second gate and continue through the forest until you reach its end. Here you will have magnificent views of Glenshee and the glens beyond. Continue along the road until it forks right. Go downhill passing sheep yards until you reach the golf course. From here it is a short stroll back down the Dalmunzie driveway. Note: You do have the option of continuing along the high road through the second forest until you reach the river, where you turn back along the dirt road to the driveway.

SERIOUS

6) Ben Gulabin (806 metres)
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: Minimum 4 hours

Easily the most recognisable mountain at the Spittal of Glenshee, Ben Gulabin towers above the glen and offers as a reward magnificent views of the Cairngorms to the West & North. Ben Gulabin can be reached either from the Spittal of Glenshee side or Glen Taitneach side.  For a circular walk ascending the ridge from the Glen Taitneach side is a good option. Follow walk 4 until you are over the bridge. From here you can choose your ascent but it is going to be steep and hard work which ever way you climb. A possible alternative is to simply make for the first clearly defined ledge. From here you can still enjoy wonderful views of the glen. For those keen to reach the summit, you simply continue upwards until you reach the highest point marked by a cairn. Then continue following the ridge back to the Spittal, choosing a safe descent route. 

7) Ben Earb (801 metres)
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: Minimum 4 hours

Ben Earb is the delightful peak opposite the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel. The path to the top begins on the road opposite the Spittal Hotel. From the top of the path you can choose to meander into our neighbouring glen towards Enochdhu and Kirkmicheal or make for the summit following the ridge to the right. The summit is marked by a cairn and provides extensive views back to Glenshee and south to Strathardle.  Retrace your steps back or return via Dalmunzie Golf Course and Driveway.

8) Glas Tulaichean (1051 metres)
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 6-8 hours

Glas Tulaichean is a serious day hike that links walks 3 & 4 and is very popular with experienced hikers. It can be walked in either direction, but generally most people complete it in a clockwise manner travelling up Glen Lochsie and returning via Gleann Taitneach. Follow walk 3 to Glen Lochsie lodge which makes a good spot for a rest before a steep ascent. The four wheel drive road behind the lodge can be followed all the way to the top of the mountain marked by a cairn. This is a long section and steep to start with. It eventually flattens out with glorious views to the west. From the summit you follow the ridgeline north to north-west until you reach Loch nan Eun (visible for parts of the walk). This is another nice spot to have a rest and enjoy the peace and quiet. The loch marks the start of the Taitneach burn so cross over to the northern side and descend along a path enjoying the waterfalls until you reach the glen below. From here simply follow the path/road as for walk 4 back to the Spittal of Glenshee.
Gleann Taitneach from Gulabin
Gleann Taitneach from Gulabin


Below Ben Gulabin
Below Ben Gulabin


Winter Stroll up Glenlochsie
Winter Stroll up Glenlochsie


Cairn at the head of Glenlochsie
Cairn at the head of Glenlochsie


Glenlochsie Walk to the Old Hunting Lodge
Glenlochsie Walk to the Old Hunting Lodge


Atop Gulabin looking over Glenshee
Atop Gulabin looking over Glenshee


A peaceful rest on Ben Earb
A peaceful rest on Ben Earb


Atop Glas Tulaichean
Atop Glas Tulaichean


© 2008 Plexus Media LtdGlenshee Tourist Association invite you to experience the Glen of the Fairies, Perthshire, Scotland