Route 5: The Braes of Glenlivet (Blue Trail)
Total Distance: 20 km, 12 miles (including spur to Scalan)
Off road: Approx. 95%
Trail Information: Excellent varied route with off road sections on farm and hill tracks which can be fairly rough and muddy in places. Provides access to some remote and very attractive parts of the Estate, with some expansive views onto the Ladder Hills and the Braes of Glenlivet. Open and exposed in bad weather. Please ensure that all gates are left as they are found.
Recommended start point: Allanreid (GR 235 249), Other Car Parks: Tomnavoulin (GR 212 265), Eskemulloch (GR 245 204). East Auchavaich (GR 243 209) Places of interest: Scalan Seminary, Braes Heritage Trail (booklet available), Ladder Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (wildlife interest).
Approximate duration: Allow 3-4 hours.
From Allanreid car park head due S along the farm track to Achdregnie. After 100m leave the road and head towards the footbridge over the R Livet. Turn left before the bridge and head south eastwards along the north bank of the river following the same route as Walk 3. After passing through a shelter belt of trees, the trail turns eastwards leaving the river for a short section before rejoining it at the ford near Inverblye, where another bridge provides a route across the river. Cross the bridge and follow the track through a gate. Continue along the well defined track on the south bank of the river for about 1.5 km until the path meets another gate. Walk 3 leaves the track here heading SE across the moor. The cycle route continues through the gate along the hard track which after about 200m turns into a grassy track. At this point head SE away from the river (the main track continues upstream), picking up a hill track which heads uphill towards the Ladder Hills (designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for upland plants and birds). As you reach the break of slope at the top of the brae the track turns SW and undulates for approx. 3km around the foot of the Ladder Hills passing through a couple of gates before reaching the cottage at Ladderfoot. Continue through the small ford over the Blye Water past the cottage, picking up the track which heads westwards, then NW, to eventually reach the public road at Chapeltown. At the junction next to the Chapel, the route splits, with a spur to the left (S) which can be used as a detour to visit the Scalan Seminary. To follow the spur take the public road to the Eskemulloch car park then follow the farm track (signposted) to the Scalan. Return to Chapeltown by the same route. To continue along the main route from the chapel take the public road (N) for 400m then turn right (NE) at a phone box following the tarred road that leads to Auchnascraw and Rhindu Farms. At the crossroads next to the farms, turn left (N) taking the farm track (part of Walk 3) which heads NE through the fields to Eskemore and Badievochel (the track can be wet muddy and rough in places). Beyond Badievochel at the junction of Walks 3 and 10 below the Bochel hill, (signposted) the cycle track leaves Walk 3 (which contours N along sheep tracks around the base of the Bochel). Head slightly downhill through a gate, to follow the track on the downside of the fence, eventually leading through open fields (where the track disappears) to reach the cottage at the Glack (Walk 3 can be followed as an alternative if required – but the going is rougher). At the Glack, pick up the track that heads downhill towards the River Livet to cross the footbridge and return to the starting point at Allanreid.
Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways. |
