Ladylea Hill from Invernettie
Easy hillwalk from Invernettie near Strathdon to Ladylea Hill via estate tracks and forestry, reaching the summit cairn on a broad heather-clad shoulder.
Route outline
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| Ascent | 410m (1340ft) | |||
| Distance | 7km (4m) | |||
| Time | 2:20hr | |||
| Start/finish | Invernettie, Strathdon Grid Ref : NJ342153 | |||
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This is a gentle walk, mainly on estate tracks, passing through forestry to reach the summit of Ladylea Hill. Rather than an out-and-back, the route can be extended for a more rewarding circuit by continuing over Clashenteple Hill, with further estate tracks running alongside a tall deer fence.
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Route description
1. Getting to Invernettie
Invernettie
From Aberdeen, the A944 heads west through Alford, continuing to meet the A939 near Corgarff.
Around 10 km east of this junction lies the small village of Strathdon, where a narrow road branches north.
This road is followed for just over 2 km to Invernettie Farm, where a large, rough parking area is found opposite a substantial cattle shed.
2. Ladylea Hill
Heading up the track through forestry
From the roadside, take the track that climbs beside the large farm shed, soon crossing Nettie Burn several times - first by a small bridge, then by easy fords. The track passes a house, and meets with a large gate in a deer fence.
Beyond the gate, the enclosed woodland forms part of the Candacraig Estate, where native tree species have been planted with the dual aims of encouraging biodiversity and promoting carbon capture. The rewilding effort supports the development of habitat for indigenous wildlife while also contributing to long-term ecological restoration.
Through the gate, the track begins a gentle ascent and reaches a junction 
- keep left (the right fork is used later when returning from Clashenteple Hill). It passes near a small, weathered wooden bothy 
and crosses the burn again before heading towards plantation forestry. As the trees are approached, the track splits 
. Although the more obvious branch continues ahead, the correct route takes the right fork, leading into the forest (we mistakenly took the route directly ahead, then had to correct ourselves using a traversing track higher up).
The climb remains gentle at first, gradually steepening as the track becomes rougher. After levelling out 
, it meets a high deer fence enclosing mature trees. The track now follows the fence line northwest, rising steadily towards Ladylea Hill's summit.
On the summit of Ladylea Hill, looking to Ben Avon
, from where fine views open in all directions.On the summit of Ladylea Hill, looking to Ben Avon
3. Clashenteple Hill and return
Clashenteple Hill from the track on Ladylea Hill
The return can be made by retracing the ascent route. However, a more satisfying circular option continues from near the summit …
After rejoining the fence line and following it down towards the head of the rough track , another track can be seen keeping alongside the fence. This descends through woodland to a damp col, then rises again onto open hillside towards Clashenteple Hill 
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The little cairn marking the summit of Clashenteple Hill lies awkwardly on the opposite side of the high deer fence !
On the summit of Clashenteple Hill looking south-eastwards to Pressendye
, where a more well-defined estate track is picked up and followed directly down to the earlier junction below the bothy - completing the circuit.On the summit of Clashenteple Hill looking south-eastwards to Pressendye
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Cairngorms and Monadhliath |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Northern Cairngorms Midge forecast |
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