Mount Keen – The most easterly Munro

by Nataliein Cairngorms, Hillwalkson Posted on

Peaks
Mount Keen (939m) – Munro

  • Ascent: 730m
  • Distance: 17.5km
  • Duration: 5.5 – 6.5 hours
  • Terrain: Landrover track almost all the way up, then gravel path to the top; crossing the Easter Burn when in spate might be difficult
  • Steepest gradient: 30°
  • Exposure: none; very broad track on the steepest section
Mount Keen has a path all the way to the top
Mount Keen in April

At a height of 939m, Mount Keen is one of the lower Munros. However, its position on the Cairngorms’ eastern fringe and its dome-like peak make this hill well-recognisable from afar. Although the distance of this walk is 17.5km in total, you will make progress quickly.

Mount Keen is the ideal hillwalking adventure for people just starting their Munro-bagging journey, thanks to an excellent track through Glen Mark and a solid hill path further up.

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You start in the Invermark car park in Glen Esk. Head along the road first, where a minor road soon branches off to the right with a signpost indicating the way to Mount Keen. Take this road and head towards the House of Mark. Pass by the house and walk through a gate .

Follow the track and soon reach another gate . Head along this track further into Glen Mark, ignoring the occasional paths joining from the left and right.

In good weather, you will soon see the Queen’s Well in the distance. Aim for this lovely gazebo-shaped stone structure, which makes an excellent place for a break.

Continue on the right-hand-side path towards Invermark Cottage , leaving the glen and gaining height. Shortly after the cottage, you have to cross Easter Burn , which is no problem when the burn is not in spate. Crossing the next burn is easy, thanks to an iron gate bridging the gap.

You walk along the Ladder Burn now, steadily gaining height. The track eventually leads away from the burn, and you reach the steepest section of the walk . However, the path is broad and not exposed, making this section only exhausting from puffing uphill rather than intimidating.

The path zig-zags up the slopes, and eventually, the gradient eases when you emerge on the lowest part of the broad ridge that leads up to Mount Keen. Continue on this footpath, and keep the right at the fork , ignoring the path to the left. After a last push up the slopes, you reach the top of Mount Keen . After enjoying the views, the quickest way back is to retrace your steps down into Glen Mark on the same paths and tracks you have walked in.