Craigendarroch Summit – Ballater loop from Ballater

Hiking trails & Routes

Aberdeenshire

Ballater And Crathie

Craigendarroch Summit – Ballater loop from Ballater

Moderate

4.8

(12)

hikers

Craigendarroch Summit – Ballater loop from Ballater

03:02

9.89km

240m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Cairngorms National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.43 km

Craigendarroch Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

This hill at 402m is Ballater''s local Marilyn and is a short ascent from the town centre. There is easy to follow paths around and up the hill, and the views over Ballater and towards Lochnagar are very good.

Tip by

2.98 km

View of Cairngorms National Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

No need to go to summit - the best view is from the loop

Tip by

4.75 km

Ballater Station and Royal Waiting Room

Highlight • Cafe

Recently opened and restored tea rooms. The station has been lovingly restored and you can access the very fancy royal tearoom and privy. You cannot access the royal train carriage …

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5.01 km

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Memorial

Highlight • Monument

Ballater Mailbox - Honoring Queen Elizabeth II - 70th Jubilee

Translated by Google •

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5.03 km

St. Kentigern's Church, Ballater

Highlight • Religious Site

A beautiful church right in the middle of Ballater. The grounds and surrounding park are a popular spot in the summer to sit and enjoy an ice cream.

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5.30 km

Ballater

Highlight • Historical Site

The station of Ballater, which has been closed down since 1966, houses a museum. This shows, among other things, the waiting room of Queen Victoria, who used the train station …

Translated by Google •

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6.20 km

River Dee

Highlight • River

Relaxing and idyllic.

Showing Translation

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6.60 km

Bridge of Muick and Riverside Path

Highlight • Bridge

Bridge of Muick

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9.89 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.29 km

2.18 km

1.91 km

1.55 km

1.34 km

494 m

130 m

Surfaces

3.78 km

2.48 km

1.55 km

1.22 km

437 m

424 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (380 m)

Lowest point (200 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

12°C

3°C

66 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 31.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 6, 2022,Van Darroch Learg Hotel stukje Riverside en Craigendarroch

The round of the river with mother-in-law, together we continue the road to the top of the Craigendarroch. Nice challenge with fantastic views over the Royal Deeside

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April 16, 2022,No. 19 | Craigendarroch & Riverside Walk - Ballater

No. 19 of my #100komootwanders_2022 challenge. 💛

Saturday 16th April 2022

Kaspar, kiddo and I enjoyed the day in Ballater Royal Deeside.

We stretched the legs with a short hike up to the summit of Craigendarroch - the entire route had clear signage and good tracks but was definitely steep in places.
We then extended our return route to the …