Firmounth trail run
Length
18.9 Kms
Elevation gain
547.4 m
Max elevation
442 m
Difficulty
***
Rating
****
Type
Loop
Route id
541
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
1 Kms
Dirt road
15.9 Kms
Dirt path
2 Kms
Trail
0 Kms
0
Route summary
The Firmounth trail run route is a trail run within North & Grampian. The loop covers a distance of 18.94 Kms ( 11.77 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 547 m ( 1796 feet )
.
Description
This is a route we have done many a time along with a few variations
that can add or remove distance....and climb with
442 m
of up. The ups and downs of this
along with long flat sections make it a good, if perhaps tough, training
route.
The route starts of off outside the Boat Inn in Aboyne where a short section
takes you across the bridge and onto the Fungle path to start with. A short climb takes you onto a short
1 Kms
section of single track road then dirt road.
A small bridge takes you across the burn and from there you are on a mix
of mainly forest road with small sections of good trail. The path head up
alongside the burn before starting to climb uphill. A style marks the start of
the cross along the front of Craigendinnie where the climb goes on. Although
still in the trees there are frequent openings to see the view across Deeside.
The path then descends through the trees but gives views into the Glentannar
estate up ahead. The route flattens out then takes a left into Glentannar
where you have a few kms of almost flat running. Make the most of it as soon
you are heading back uphill.
The uphill section is long but does offer some respite in sections where the
gradient is not steep.
Eventually you are out in the open and near the top of the hill as the path
starts to bend back to the start. This can be windy, this can be frozen, this
can be misty, but this part can also be glorious running. The path takes you down
to a wee burn, for a wee drink, before heading back up the last climb.
Once at the top of the last climb a short
1 Kms
takes you back into the tress and the
long descent all the way back to the Boat Inn. If you have time,
this is a great place for fish and chips amongst other offerings.
Route directions
Kms
1
0: comment information
0
2
Turn left to head over the bridge
0.1
3
At the end of the orad, turn right. No pavement on this short section.
0.4
4
Take the small path on the left. Sign posted as the Fungle path
0.5
5
Joins single track road
0.6
6
Straight ahead on the new ish path
1
7
Onto the Fungle path. Trail
1.2
8
Turn right over the style
1.8
9
Across the front of Craigendinnie
2.1
10
Over the top of the hill
2.8
11
Turn right at the tee junction
3.8
12
Turn left towards the small bridge at the tee junction
4.1
13
Watch out for frogs during the spring
6.1
14
Keep to left
6.5
15
At crossing take path on left going up hill
6.9
16
follow path to the left up hill
10
17
Steep section up to left
11.5
18
Turn right at the tee
12.9
19
Jump over the small burn, or get your feet wet
13.7
20
Nearly all down hill from now
14.6
21
Right at the tee
15.4
22
Left at the small cottage - The Guard
16
23
Past the style - you are now on path you came up on
17.1
24
Turn right across the small bridge
17.7
25
Take small path straight ahead
18.3
26
turn right at main road and take care as no pavement
18.4
27
tunr left at main road and over the bridge
18.5
28
Turn right after the bridge back towards the Boat Inn
18.9
29
Back at the Boat Inn and time for a beer along with fish and chips
18.9
Start of the trail
Looking back down first part of the path
Start of the trail
The sign to the Fungle marks the start
Craigendinnie
On a frosty morning
Craigendinnie
Not so frosty
Craigendinnie
A damp wet morning
Small bridge
View of the burn (stream)
Small bridge
The new bridge
After the style
Deep in snow
Across Crainendinnie
Winter morning
Across Crainendinnie
Deeside in winter
Top of first climb
Looking out on Deeside
Top of first climb
Eearly morning
Top of first climb
Looking back down the path
Top of first climb
More Deeside
First downhill section
Path has been updated since this picture
First downhill section
Newer look path
First downhill section
Frsoty with Glentannar ahead
First downhill section
Image from Firmounth
Glentannar
A flat section
The last big climb
The hill ahead
Reaching the top of last climb
Lovely and peaceful
Reaching the top of last climb
A really enjoyable part as the climbing is nearly over
Views all around
Looking north
Views all around
Image from Firmounth
Views all around
Image from Firmounth
Views all around
Image from Firmounth
Views all around
The path ahead
Views all around
Image from Firmounth
Views all around
Image from Firmounth
The Guard area
Just before the turning at the Guard
The Guard area
The Guard on the right, you go left.
The Guard area
Can be muddy in parts
The Guard area
Rest and be thankful
Heading down the Fungle path
In the trees
Heading down the Fungle path
Image from Firmounth
Heading down the Fungle path
Image from Firmounth