Ciss Outdoors

This is a less hiked way up the Munro Broad Cairn from Glen Doll instead of Loch Muick. A generally quiet route, this one is nice if you fancy some time to yourself. The walk up past Bachnagairn is always pretty and a good break spot. This route can also be extended to a loop, taking in the neighbouring Munro Cairn Bannoch. That adds significant distance, but adds the interest of a different return leg.

This was one of a series of hikes I’ve walked with my dad. The steady climb, quiet approach and generous sense of space make it a good choice for a shared day out where the focus is as much on time together as on the summit.

Glen Doll works well as a hiking base for a wide range of routes in the Angus Glens. A dedicated Glen Doll guide brings these walks together and explores how the area can be used for repeat visits.

Start point & facilities

The walk starts at Glen Doll car park (£3 charge). There are toilets on site, a Cairngorms National Park Ranger station and information boards with route options and weather info.

Out through the glen

From the car park, head back the way you drove in and take the first left just after the small bridge. This leads onto a wide, well-made track that rolls gently up the glen, with the burn close by for much of the way.

The track remains clear and obvious as you make steady progress upstream. When you reach a small group of houses, the route skirts around to the right, passing behind them. While there was once an option to stay on the opposite side of the burn, crossings here are no longer straightforward, so it’s best to remain on the right-hand side of the glen.

Beyond the houses, the path curves gently left around the edge of a forested area before reaching a well-built bridge crossing the burn. Continue to reach the approach to Bachnagairn forest, where the character of the glen begins to change. The glen narrows here, and the burn tumbles through a series of small waterfalls, crossed by footbridges. One of these bridges is taken as the route crosses to climb out of the glen.

Leaving the main track

Beyond Bachnagairn, the route turns away from the main glen track and begins to climb uphill on a clear, well-defined path. Rather than heading straight up the slope, the path zigzags steadily, easing the gradient and giving you some breathing space as height is gained.

The character of the terrain changes here, becoming more open and upland, with heathery ground replacing the lower glen grasses. Underfoot conditions remain good, and the line of the path is easy to follow throughout. This is still straightforward walking, but the sustained climb makes it feel more purposeful than the approach through the glen.

In clear conditions, Broad Cairn’s upper slopes gradually begin to come into view as you gain height, although they can remain hidden for much of the ascent in poorer visibility. Despite its proximity to popular areas, this section of the route is usually very quiet. It’s rare to pass other walkers here, reinforcing the sense of space and solitude that defines this approach.

Higher ground and the boulder field

As the zigzagging climb continues out of Bachnagairn, you eventually reach a broad, gently rounded shoulder where the character of the route changes again. Here, a very prominent path is crossed. This is a major through-route in the area, and at this point you turn left, following it uphill towards Broad Cairn.

From here, the slope steepens slightly as height is gained and the terrain becomes increasingly rocky. A boulder field guards the upper reaches of the hill, slowing progress and encouraging more careful foot placement, particularly after rain or in winter conditions. This section is not technically difficult, but it does demand patience and concentration as you work your way upwards.

The reward for this effort is a growing sense of space. Looking back, the Angus Glens stretch out below you, while views also begin to open towards Aberdeenshire, with Loch Muick visible in clearer conditions. This broad outlook underlines how close you are to the boundary between the two regions and gives a real sense of standing on the cusp between them.

Having joined the main path, this is also the point where you are more likely to encounter other walkers. Trail runners may pass through here too, particularly those tackling the very popular Loch Muick five Munros route.

The summit of Broad Cairn

The final pull to the summit is steady rather than dramatic. Broad Cairn lives up to its name, with a wide, open top that feels expansive rather than sharp or pointed. A prominent tor crowns the summit area, but it’s easily reached and set within a generally flat, open plateau.

In good conditions, the views are extensive. Neighbouring Munros are spread out around you, with long sightlines into the heart of the Cairngorms. Looking east, Loch Muick sits clearly below, adding a strong sense of scale to the landscape and reinforcing how this route connects Angus and Aberdeenshire.

This is a calm summit rather than a theatrical one. It suits the character of the route, which is more about solitude and steady movement through big landscapes than about chasing a single dramatic moment.

Optional extension to Cairn Bannoch

From the summit of Broad Cairn, confident hikers can extend the day by continuing on to Cairn Bannoch, either navigating a loop back to Bachnagairn via Jock’s Road or retracing their steps from Cairn Bannoch. This turns the route into a far longer, more committing outing. If committing to the loop, the linking ground is high and exposed, and conditions should be assessed carefully before committing to the extension.

Returning the same way

Those choosing not to extend can return from Broad Cairn by the same route, retracing their steps back through the boulder field and down into the glen. While an out-and-back, the return offers a different perspective, with expansive views opening out across the surrounding glens.

Related reading:

Glen Doll: A Hiking Base in the Angus Glens

Exploring the Falls of Unich and Loch Lee: A Scenic 10-Mile Hike