Midweek walk – Carnferg, Aboyne

Starting from near the Boat Inn in Aboyne, this 15km circular walk heads south across the Dee and follows the Fungle Road climbing steadily through pine woods before emerging out into the “peak heather bloom” of August.

Carnferg (525m) is crowned by a distinctive memorial cairn, and despite its modest height, the hill provides an excellent viewpoint, with a panorama of the surrounding hills with Morven being the dominant peak.

The return journey heads north towards Brackloch Craig, over Birsemore Hill before descending via an intricate web of singletrack paths through mossy woods (but hopefully avoiding the fork down the “big slab”!) to Birsemore loch which in summer buzzes with colourful damselflies. Total distance about 15km, with 500m of ascent.