Mount Keen from Glen Tanar
Biking and hiking route up Mount Keen from Glen Tanar. Cycle the fine drove road through pine forests to the Mounth Road and summit.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Walk ascent | 410m (1340ft) | |||
| distance | 4km (2m) | |||
| time | 1:45hr | |||
| Bike ascent | 400m (1310ft) | |||
| distance | 27km (17m) | |||
| time | 1:45hr | |||
| Start/finish | Glen Tanar, Deeside Grid Ref : NO479965 | |||
| Terrain |
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| Nav |
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| Effort |
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| Scenery |
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Mount Keen, the most easterly Munro, is a distinctive dome rising above the rolling heather-clad hills east of Royal Deeside.
While the most popular route to the summit approaches from Glen Mark to the south, this quieter alternative heads in from Glen Tanar to the north. As with the Glen Mark route, much of the way follows fine estate tracks and well-maintained paths, though the scenery differs, with long stretches through attractive woodland and forestry alongside the Water of Tanar.
The Glen Tanar Visitor Centre is worth visiting, and a wander around the nearby old church and cemetery is worthwhile.
While the most popular route to the summit approaches from Glen Mark to the south, this quieter alternative heads in from Glen Tanar to the north. As with the Glen Mark route, much of the way follows fine estate tracks and well-maintained paths, though the scenery differs, with long stretches through attractive woodland and forestry alongside the Water of Tanar.
The Glen Tanar Visitor Centre is worth visiting, and a wander around the nearby old church and cemetery is worthwhile.
Route map
Route description
1. Getting to Glen Tanar
Best to keep straight on !
West of Aberdeen, Aboyne lies on the River Dee and just south-west of the village an unclassified road leads to Glen Tanar.
At the end of public access on this road is a car-park from where the route up Mount Keen begins.
Parking is £3 for a day (Tuesdays free !).
At the end of public access on this road is a car-park from where the route up Mount Keen begins.
Parking is £3 for a day (Tuesdays free !).
2. Cycle to Shiel of Glen Tanar
The 'Halfway Hut'
From the car-park, head 100m back along the road then cross the bridge over the Water of Tanar. Immediately to the left is Glen Tanar visitor centre and its ranger service.Take the track to the right and cycle south past Glen Tanar Church and cemetary 
to a junction and turn right.
The track comes to another junction
by a bridge over Water of Tanar and right-of-way sign pointing to "Glen Esk by the Mounth") - you can take either route - I prefer straight on as the track is smoother.A further 1km, the track splits 
- keep left (to the right is the old track which has been badly erroded by the river).
The track comes to another junction
, turn sharp right and cross the bridge over the Water of Allachy. Shortly thereafter yet another junction and bridge 
, turn left heading west alongside the north bank of Water of Tanar.
Around 2½km further on you'll pass a small wooden shack, the "Half Way Hut"
and as its name suggests, you're now around halfway to the foot of Mount Keen ! Shortly after this you'll come out of the forest and get your first view of Mount Keen ahead.
Another bridge
is reached, with the track crossing onto the southern bank of the Water of Tanar. After a brief cycle of 1km, yet another bridge 
is crossed, this time it's back onto the northern bank for 1.5km to a right-of-way sign pointing to Mount Keen near a fairly new metal bridge 
. Once over this, the track gets much rougher and begins to climb fairly steeply uphill, so perhaps best to leave bikes just beyond this bridge.
to a junction and turn right.The track comes to another junction
by a bridge over Water of Tanar and right-of-way sign pointing to "Glen Esk by the Mounth") - you can take either route - I prefer straight on as the track is smoother.A further 1km, the track splits - keep left (to the right is the old track which has been badly erroded by the river).The track comes to another junction
, turn sharp right and cross the bridge over the Water of Allachy. Shortly thereafter yet another junction and bridge , turn left heading west alongside the north bank of Water of Tanar. Around 2½km further on you'll pass a small wooden shack, the "Half Way Hut"
and as its name suggests, you're now around halfway to the foot of Mount Keen ! Shortly after this you'll come out of the forest and get your first view of Mount Keen ahead.Another bridge
is reached, with the track crossing onto the southern bank of the Water of Tanar. After a brief cycle of 1km, yet another bridge is crossed, this time it's back onto the northern bank for 1.5km to a right-of-way sign pointing to Mount Keen near a fairly new metal bridge . Once over this, the track gets much rougher and begins to climb fairly steeply uphill, so perhaps best to leave bikes just beyond this bridge.3. Mount Keen
Leaving Mount Road, last climb to Mount Keen's summit
The now rough but obvious track is followed uphill and comes to a grate 
. Beyond this, a fine path has been constructed with side sections around culverts enabling accomplished mtb-ers to continue (see glentanar.co.uk for info on the reconstructed path).
At around c700m
, the path splits - the 'Mounth Road' heads off right around the summit dome of Mount Keen and a footpath heads directly ahead uphill aiming for the summit. This final section is made of rocks and boulders carefully placed and twists and turns until Mount Keen's trig point 
comes into view.
. Beyond this, a fine path has been constructed with side sections around culverts enabling accomplished mtb-ers to continue (see glentanar.co.uk for info on the reconstructed path).At around c700m
, the path splits - the 'Mounth Road' heads off right around the summit dome of Mount Keen and a footpath heads directly ahead uphill aiming for the summit. This final section is made of rocks and boulders carefully placed and twists and turns until Mount Keen's trig point comes into view.4. Return to Glen Tanar
Mount Keen's summit
Return by the same route. The cycle for the most part is a gentle downhill and therefore easier than the route in.
GPX downloads and maps
Paper maps:
OS Landranger 44
OS Explorer OL54
Route profile
Weather forecasts
| Regional | MWIS - Southeast Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Southern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
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