Mount Keen, 3081ft, 939m, Scotland’s most
easterly Munro, is the highest point on the broad ‘Mounth Keen’ that
separates Glen Tanar on Deeside and Glen Esk in Angus. The hill has
been described as ‘ideally suited for a relaxed outing...’ but in
winter especially it’s worth remembering that the summit is a long way
from the houses in lower Glen Tanar to the north
and from Invermarke to the south.
Glen Tanar lies south-west of Aboyne, where a public road runs to Glen
Tanar House and the estate visitor centre.
From a car park, paths and tracks follow the Water of Tanar through the
pine woods and out onto open moorland beyond the Half Way Hut.
The track continues in a more southerly direction beyond the old farm
house at Etnach and passes the mined Shiel of Glentanar that was burned
down in 1992.
Just before the track sweeps round to the remains of the Shiel, a
separate track crosses the river via a new bridge, and climbs the
north-west ridge of Mount Keen.
Just beyond, above the rocky hollow known locally as the ‘korlach’, (
the OS call it Corrach for some reason ), another path forks to the left
to wind up to Mount Keen’s stony summit.
ROUTE PLANNER Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 44 (
Ballater & Glen Clova ), Hanleys Superwalker, Cairngorms &
Lochnagar
Start/finish: Car park near Glen Tanar House ( GR: NO480966 )
Distance: About 16 miles / 28km
Approx Time: 6-8 hours Route:
From the car park cross the bridge, turn right and follow the marked
footpath to ‘The Mounth road to Glen Eek’.
After a while another sign points to the right and this path runs
through the pinewoods beside the Water of Tanar for about 5km.
Leave the woods for the open glen, crossing the river twice.
At the third crossing ( GR: NO 407896 ) over a new bridge, ascend the
Mounth Road by a broad track.
Diverge SE up the path to Mount Keen’s summit.
Return by the same route.
Route Map for Mount Keen
MOUNT KEEN :
Scotland's most easterly Munro is best approached by mountain bike from the top of Glen Esk.
Cycle in to an ornate well dedicated to Queen Victoria at the base of the peak and trek to the summit on an easy-to-follow path.
START/FINISH: Car park at end of Glen Esk public road ( grid ref NO 446804 ). DISTANCE: 17km /10.5 miles. TOTAL ASCENT: 698m. MAP: Ordnance Survey 1 :50,000 Landranger sheet M
ROUTE:
Follow the good track 4km up Glen Mark to the Queen's Well.
Continue on past the cottage at Glenmark, climbing steeply over open hillside.
Just before the track ends is a junction where two paths continue.
Take the right-hand path and follow the wide, eroded route to the summit trig point.
Return by the same route.
OTHER WALKS IN THE AREA:
From the end of the Glen Esk public road, a track leads past an ancient castle and ruined church to Loch Lee.
Continue up the glen to the Falls of Unich and the Falls of Damff.
WHERE TO STAY:
The Panmure Arms in Edzell is a family-run hotel at the foot of Glen Esk that offers B&B from £47.50 single and £70 double.
Tel: 01356 648 950 or visit www.panmurearmshotel.co.uk