Carnferg via the Fungle Road

Guided Walks

12 Dec

Another blue sky day for our low hill walk up the Fungle road and Carnferg. Superb views and so still at the top!

Carnferg is a small hill, 525m/1722ft with wonderful views over the Cairngorms and Aberdeenshire. This guided hillwalk took us to the summit from our starting point in Aboyne village, along an ancient drovers route called The Fungle Road which ultimately connects Deeside to Glen Esk. The path winds through a mix of beautiful, mature woodland between Birsemore Hill and Craigdinnie, past the Guard House and then up through open moorland. At the top of the hill is a pyramid-shaped memorial cairn to Joseph Robert Heaven from his heartbroken widow and also in beloved memory of their son Robert Edward Heaven.* The skies were blue and the wind so light, it really was a heavenly late autumn day. Our descent took us down the hill towards Glencat, then north to rejoin the Fungle Road and back to Aboyne.

This low level walk is great for beginners, with a round-trip distance of approximately 15km (9 miles), ascent approximately 500m and duration approx. 5-6 hours. Accessible using public transport such as the 201 bus from Aberdeen or Braemar to Aboyne, The Fungle Road can be accessed by crossing Aboyne Bridge over the River Dee. Turn right onto the South Deeside Road and walk along the road for a short distance before turning left onto the signposted public footpath to Tarfside by The Fungle Mounth.

To hear a lively account of the walk and some more of the history of the area you can listen to Garry’s River Dee radio broadcast with Paul Wilson.

You may also like our other blogs on Carnferg

*The Heaven family were owners of the Birse Estate from 1897 - 1911 when, following Joseph’s death, it was sold to Baron Cowdray. Today the Estate is owned by Hon. Charles Pearson, son of Viscount Cowdray.

Walking the Fungle Road