Name of walk: The Cistern Road and Fungle - South of River over Aboyne Bridge

Grade symbol: Strenuous

Length of walk: 5.8 miles / 9.3 km from the Boat Inn

Time to allow: 3 hours

default Walk Cistern Road & Fungle gpx(760 KB)

What to see:

Recommended to be started and finished opposite the Boat Inn on Charlestown Road.

A mostly circular walk passing through the beautiful mature Birsemohr Forest on an ancient bridle track and joining an old drove road. A lovely tranquil walk with lots of forest and variety.

Terrain description:

This walk involves road crossings and country roads without pavements.  Take great care on these roads especially with minors, walk facing the oncoming traffic. It involves a tarmac path, gravel track and a stoney and at times narrow path which can be wet and slippery underfoot. There is a steep downhill at one point and a crossing over a small burn which can be tricky after heavy rain. A lot of the walk is on forest tracks. Be aware that the paths are shared with mountain bikers.

Path description

Cross Aboyne Bridge and at the junction with B976 turn left. Keep on the pavement for 150 m until the pavement runs out. Cross the road onto a private road with a 20mph sign. Follow this for 700 m keeping left on bends and across a track bridge. Continue ahead between fields and take a left turn before a bridge crossing.  Go through a small wooden gate on the left and follow the bridle track with views of the Queens Loch through the trees on the left.  At the end of the path a pedestrian gate leads to the Birsemohr road.  Turn right into the wood at a gap in the wall and follow a small path for 200 m parallel to the road (if you choose to walk this 200 m section on the road look out for traffic).

When the path meets a track opposite Birsemohr Crescent turn right. Walk 300 m on this forest track to a distinct right-hand bend and turn left along a smaller path for 600 m through trees. At the gap in the wall turn right and follow a good gravel track uphill past the cistern (a domed concrete structure for storing water). After the track levels continue straight on. The path narrows and drops down to the Fungle burn. Cross the burn with care on stepping stones - it can become fast flowing after heavy rain.

Follow the path to a small granite cottage called the Guard.  Turn right down the old drove road which will take you down to a bridge after 2 km. Note the resting place which you pass on your right, aptly named ‘Rest and be thankful’. At the bottom of the hill cross the bridge and retrace your footsteps between the fields and back to the village.