1
From the Spittal of Glenmuick car park turn left, follow a single-track road across a bridge over Allt Darrarie towards the Spittal of Glenmuick, which was once a thriving township. Go round a barrier where the path forks. Keep left for Loch Muick, pass a couple of old stone cottages, stopping briefly to enjoy the view west towards the summit of mighty Lochnagar. A solid path heads south-west soon, passing, on the left, the Capel Mounth to Glen Clova path.
2
Keep straight on here alongside the early stages of the River Muick. The landscape around Loch Muick has a predominantly untamed feel, with the heather-clad slopes, featuring small stands of Scots Pine. Red squirrel, red deer, hen harrier, osprey and golden eagle may well be spotted here. Pass a path on the right (this is the return path) and continue south-west, past a little boathouse with the path granting easy walking. There are great views towards Broad Cairn and White Mounth. Continue under the crags of Creag Bhiorach and soon afterwards cross a footbridge, which passes over the spectacular Black Burn waterfall, and here the path splits.
3
Keep right, descend alongside the Black Burn, over a slightly rockier path, and continue as the path swings left with the old royal hunting lodge of Glas Allt Shiel appearing on the lochs northern shore. Round the head of the loch (here its banks are lined with rowan and birch trees) crossing several boardwalks over wetter ground in and around Allt an Dubh-loch and the Stulan Burn. Afterwards, head north-east along a good path, which soon enters a little Scots pine wood, to reach Glas allt Shiel.
4
Turn right here onto a track, swing left around the front of the house, cross a bridge and continue through more woodland. The path soon emerges onto a broad track, providing easy walking along Loch Muick’s northern shore, for about 2.5km. Nearing an old boathouse at the northern edge of Loch Muick, turn right from the track and descend a path to the boathouse from where there are fine views along the length of Glenmuick.
5
Once past the boathouse, turn right onto a path, walk along the edge of Loch Muick, crossing a footbridge over the River Muick. Climb the path and return to the outward-bound route. Turn left and follow this back to the start.
