Walk 202 – Glen Doll Forest Trail, Angus – 5 miles

Set in the heart of the Angus Glens within the Cairngorms National Park, a walk through Glen Doll offers the perfect balance of forest trails and breath-taking mountain scenery. Follow the course of the energetic White Water into the forest, emerging at the far end to a wide open vista, then cross the burn and return to the start on forestry trails along the other side of the water. Keep your eyes peeled for otters, red squirrels, roe deer and pine marten within the forest, and on the craggy hillsides high above you might spot a golden eagle, buzzard or peregrine falcon. Binoculars and cameras at the ready!

Dog-friendly route (Note: signage at the start of the Glen requests that dogs be kept on leads)

Route: Starting from the Glen Doll Ranger Base, Kirriemuir (DD8 4RD), follow the track to the left of the base to reach the start of Jock’s Road, just beyond Glendoll Farm and Blair House. Note the way-marker indicating different coloured routes – for this one follow the blue marker posts. Continue along this track for approx 0.8 miles where you will reach a fork in the route. Take the minor path to the right, signposted “Jock’s Road Braemar 14mls”. For the next 1.5 miles enjoy a pleasant trail through the forest with the fast-flowing White Water by your side all the way. As you emerge from the trees you leave Jock’s Road behind, and follow a narrow trail down the treeline towards the burn where there is a large wooden footbridge. Cross over the White Water and turn left to follow this good forestry trail back down the Glen. After just over a mile you will cross a boardwalk-style footbridge taking you across a tributary to the White Water, and a further 0.2 miles along there is a larger footbridge. You can either cross this (it will lead you back to your earlier point near the “Jock’s Road Braemar 14mls” fork) or you can keep right to continue further downstream 0.8 miles to the next bridge which is hard surfaced with wire/metal railings. Whichever bridge you choose, turn right after crossing it and retrace your steps back to the Ranger Base.

WALK REPORT 14TH AUGUST 2021

Our last day in the Cairngorms started with an early rise and a drive along stunning Glen Clova to reach the car park at the foot of Glen Doll. We arrived around 9am and were surprised at how many cars were already parked up at the Ranger base. We’d hardly met a soul the whole way along the single track road. All going the same way I suppose!…. We were here thanks to a recommendation I’d received before leaving home: I’d never heard of Glen Doll before so doubtful we’d have found ourselves here otherwise. The route we walked was predominantly a forestry trail which follows the course of the White Water into Glen Doll using Jock’s Road – an ancient sheep-droving route and the oldest public right of way in Scotland. As we emerged from the forest at the furthest end of the walk, we had a brief rest break to enjoy the incredible mountain vista which had just opened up before us (and also some jelly beans!), before heading back down the glen on the other side of the river. I’d love to come back and explore more of the trails around this area!