Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road up Mount Keen: route map, distance and time
939 m · Cairngorms
Mount Keen is the most easterly Munro, a 939m granite dome between Glen Esk and Glen Tanar crossed by the old Mounth Road.
A long estate track follows the Water of Tanar into the hills and joins the Mounth Road to the summit.
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road at a glance
| Distance | 9.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 684 m |
| Time up | 3h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glen Tanar visitor centre (Braeloine) |
| Start grid reference | NO 447 938 |
| Summit grid reference | NO 409 869 |
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 4h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 45m | 6h 5m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:13, sunset 16:37. Start by 10:42 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:15, sunset 16:35. Start by 10:40 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Mount Keen summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mount Keen right now. The main Mount Keen page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mount Keen forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Southeastern Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Mount Keen
Mount Keen is the most easterly Munro, a 939m granite dome between Glen Esk and Glen Tanar crossed by the old Mounth Road. More about Mount Keen, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Mount Keen
Other routes up Mount Keen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well | 8.1 km one way | 637 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NO 447 938, the summit at NO 409 869), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road: questions and answers
How far is Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road?
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road is 9.4 km one way to the summit of Mount Keen, with 684 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 18.8 km.
How long does Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road take?
About 3h 0m to the summit of Mount Keen and 4h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road?
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road starts from Glen Tanar visitor centre (Braeloine). The grid reference is NO 447 938.
Is Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road today?
By 10:42 at the latest. Sunset on Mount Keen today is 16:37, Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road takes about 4h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).