Fernweh Logbook #005 - What Makes Loch Kinord a Must-Visit Destination this Autumn?
by Laura Sherriffs |
Loch Kinord lies just over the threshold of the Cairngorm National Park, a freshwater loch lying east of Ballater, part of the Muir of Dinnet nature reserve.
Though on the cusp of the Cairngorms, the area has some of the most striking autumnal scenery at this time of year, and really feels wild, with densely populated ferns and heathery heathland carpeting the floor. Silver birch woods, draped with icy lichen, sprout tall from this thick blanket of undergrow.
One of my favourite autumnal past times is watching the golden birch leaves slowly fall and scatter the tops of the bracken and settle there, like a dusting of nature’s glitter.
"The birch leaves slowly tumble toward the goldening bracken, scattering across their fronds like a dusting of nature’s glitter."
The flora and fauna are in abundance here. Of course there is the aforementioned beautiful silver birch, but the surrounding area of the loch includes great oaks, rowan trees with their vivid berries, lichens, mushroom galore, particularly fly agaric, the last of the purple heather and the moody calm views over the loch itself.
We saw migrating geese overheard, swans diving in the loch, the shores are an important habitat for otters but I’ve yet to spot one on my wanders!
The North shore of the loch features a 9th century Pictish Celtic cross slab, and the loch used to have an Iron Age crannog in the centre islands, which is now lost to time and covered in trees.
This area always feels really magical to me, it feels like a step into a fey world, where nature is completely amplified.
THE ROUTE
There are several marked walking routes here, we followed the circular trail, which is around 6.5km. The circular trail is marked with blue duck waymarkers.
The path is well maintained and the walk is relatively flat, only gaining an ascent of 11m. It usually takes around 2hrs to walk round the loch, with an easily marked trail circling the entirety of it - that’s if you don’t stop to marvel at the scenery!
We stopped in Aboyne on the way back to the Spider on A Bicycle cafe, a wonderful little spot in the old railway station just off the main street in Aboyne.
I forgot to take photos here but the decor is lovely, and the coffee was just what we needed after a few hours admiring the scenery.
What Makes Loch Kinord a Must-Visit Destination in Autumn?
During the autumn months, Loch Kinord is enveloped in a tapestry of rich hues, with the birch trees and the bracken exploding in fiery shades of golds, oranges and reds. The crisp air carries the scent of fallen leaves, creating a sensory experience like no other. The still waters of the loch reflect the changing foliage, adding to the magical ambiance of the surroundings.
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