Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well 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 track follows Glen Mark past the Queen's Well. The Mounth Road zigzags up the slope and a path leads to the summit.

Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well at a glance

Distance8.1 km one way, to the top
Ascent637 m
Time up2h 40m by Naismith's rule
There and back4h 20m, down the same way
GradeModerate
StartInvermark car park (head of Glen Esk)
Start grid referenceNO 436 805
Summit grid referenceNO 409 869

Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well 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

Start grid ref NO 436 805 · Driving directions · By bus or train

How long Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well takes

PaceTo the topThere and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up2h 10m3h 35m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up2h 40m4h 20m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up3h 20m5h 20m

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 11:17 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
  • Tomorrow: sunrise 07:15, sunset 16:35. Start by 11:15 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m 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

RouteDistanceAscentTime upGrade
Glen Tanar via the Mounth Road9.4 km one way684 m3h 0mModerate

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NO 436 805, 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.

Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well: questions and answers

How far is Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well?

Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well is 8.1 km one way to the summit of Mount Keen, with 637 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.2 km.

How long does Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well take?

About 2h 40m to the summit of Mount Keen and 4h 20m 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 5h 20m for the round trip.

Where do you park for Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well?

Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well starts from Invermark car park (head of Glen Esk). The grid reference is NO 436 805.

Is Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well 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 Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well today?

By 11:17 at the latest. Sunset on Mount Keen today is 16:37, Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well takes about 4h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for Invermark via Glen Mark and the Queen's Well?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).