Parking
Start at the public A93 car park opposite the Invercauld Arms; it has a height barrier. Parking capacity and charges were not confirmed.
Overview
About River Dee Walk, Braemar
This low-level circuit links the Water of Clunie, the River Dee and Braemar’s hillside edge. Allow about two hours for the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s 3 mile / 4.8 km loop. A second walking guide rounds the distance to 5 km and estimates about 60 m of ascent.
Why go
- A compact riverside loop reaches the distinctive Dee–Clunie confluence.
- Castle, river and strath views give the walk variety.
Heads up
- Uneven, muddy patches and short moderate slopes can make the route less comfortable after rain.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Cairngorms map
Full mapElevation319–372 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Cairngorms alerts
- CautionStorm Boelo high windsStorm Boelo will bring extremely windy weather to the Cairngorms; take extra care and limit time outdoors. - The Park Authority expects the very windy weather to last until Monday 26 October.Official details
- ClosureGlenmore wildfire closures and dangerous treesWildfire damage has closed Allt Mor car park and the path to Sugarbowl/Utsi’s Bridge; keep out of the closed area.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Cairngorms Tour Guide
Your drive to River Dee Walk, Braemar, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Cairngorms National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Cairngorms audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Braemar, the Flying Stag and Kindrochit0:00 / 0:31
“You're nearing the centre of Braemar, a good place to combine a meal with a short wander. The Flying Stag, the public pub at the Fife Arms hotel, serves Scottish favourites such as fish and chips and pies.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Cairngorms Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Braemar Highland Games Pavilion
- Braemar Castle’s Pink Rooms
- Morrone Birkwood from Chapel Brae
- Loch Callater from Auchallater
- 298 audio storiesacross Cairngorms’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Red Deer, Reindeer, Osprey, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 260 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking River Dee Walk, Braemar
Start beside Clunie WaterBegin at the public A93 car park opposite the Invercauld Arms.
Begin at the public A93 car park opposite the Invercauld Arms. Cross the Water of Clunie on a wooden footbridge and follow its narrow bank path. Braemar Castle can be seen across the water and fields.
At the Dee–Clunie confluencePass the sewage works and a wooden gate, then follow the stone embankment to the meeting of the…
Pass the sewage works and a wooden gate, then follow the stone embankment to the meeting of the rivers. Scots pines stand on the far bank. The path continues upstream beside the Dee, with views toward the Cairngorms in clear conditions.
Bench viewpoint and village returnThe circuit leaves the river for short slopes, crosses a road by a stile and fence, and climbs…
The circuit leaves the river for short slopes, crosses a road by a stile and fence, and climbs to a bench above the strath. Continue by the fence and Chapel Brae. The descent passes a duck pond, a car park and the Braemar Gathering grounds before returning through the village and over the bridge.
Ground and dogsMost of the way is on a smooth, narrow earthy path, but some sections are uneven and can be…
Most of the way is on a smooth, narrow earthy path, but some sections are uneven and can be muddy after rain. Expect short moderate slopes. Dogs are welcome; keep them close to heel around livestock and ground-nesting birds, especially from April to August, and follow local signs.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Cairngorms
159 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
63 sightingsReindeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
102 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
37 sightingsBlack GrouseMost seen around 4 AMSighting map
72 sightingsRed GrouseMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
82 sightingsPine MartenMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Cairngorms. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
