Is the Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route too long for kids?

2026-11-05T08:06:42Z

Derek ellis9: Created page with "<html><p> <strong> Short answer: not necessarily.</strong> The Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route is often described as a <strong> 6.5km walk</strong>, but distance alone doesn’t tell you whether it will suit your family. Think about the children’s usual walking distance, the climb, underfoot conditions, weather and how much time they enjoy spending outside. For confident young walkers, it can be a rewarding outing from Braemar. For little legs, or a day when energ..."

<html><p> <strong> Short answer: not necessarily.</strong> The Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route is often described as a <strong> 6.5km walk</strong>, but distance alone doesn’t tell you whether it will suit your family. Think about the children’s usual walking distance, the climb, underfoot conditions, weather and how much time they enjoy spending outside. For confident young walkers, it can be a rewarding outing from Braemar. For little legs, or a day when energy is low, it makes sense to choose an easier 3km or 4.5km alternative.</p> <p> Braemar is a particularly useful base for family walking: you can stay in the village and reach paths on foot, rather than spending precious daylight driving to a trailhead. That gives you the option to start small, watch how everyone is doing and adapt the plan. It also means there are pleasant village and riverside walks for a gentler day, alongside short climbs that deliver surprisingly big views.</p><p> <img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/4407306/pexels-photo-4407306.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940" style="max-width:500px;height:auto;" ></img></p><p> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dXwUPZ8tvRM" width="560" height="315" style="border: none;" allowfullscreen="" ></iframe></p> <h2> What makes this route a family decision?</h2> <p> The Lion’s Face and the Cromlins combines a meaningful distance with a climb and changing terrain. It is more of an outing than a quick stroll around the village, and children may find the uphill sections more demanding than the kilometre figure suggests. The route’s appeal is that it takes you beyond the streets of Braemar towards open views and varied landscape; the trade-off is that you need to allow enough time and be prepared to turn back if conditions or spirits dip.</p> <p> Route descriptions and mapped distances can vary according to the exact start point and line taken. Before setting off, check the <strong> Cairngorms National Park Authority community paths leaflet</strong> for the route details and local path information. Carry a map or an offline mapping option as well, and make sure the route you follow matches the conditions on the ground. A leaflet is useful planning information, not a substitute for making your own navigation and safety decisions.</p> <p> For a family with regular hillwalking experience, a 6.5km route may be an enjoyable half-day. For children who are new to walking, it could feel long, particularly if the path is wet, they are carrying a small pack, or you have set out late. Build in time for snacks, stops and exploring. The walk is more likely to succeed when reaching the end is not the only measure of a good day.</p> Your family’s situation A sensible plan Children are used to walking and keen to climb Consider the full 6.5km route, with plenty of daylight and a flexible turnaround plan. You are unsure how far the youngest will manage Choose a shorter village or riverside outing first, or plan a route that can be shortened. It is windy, wet, cold or visibility is poor Prefer a lower, shorter walk and save the exposed viewpoint for a better weather window. Everyone is tired after travel or another activity Keep the day easy. A short loop can be a better family memory than a reluctant push uphill. <h2> Start with the weather window and daylight</h2> <p> In the Cairngorms, a bright-looking village morning does not guarantee comfortable conditions higher up. Wind can make a short climb feel much harder, while low cloud or rain can take the fun out of a viewpoint. Check the <strong> mountain weather forecast</strong> before you go, paying particular attention to wind, temperature, rain, cloud and any warnings. Compare the forecast with what you can see and feel on the day; if the conditions are worse than expected, choose a lower route.</p> <p> Daylight matters too, especially in autumn and winter when the usable walking day is short. Set a realistic turnaround time and leave enough time to get back before dark, allowing for slower progress with children. A headtorch is sensible backup, but it should not be your plan for finishing a family walk. In summer, a longer evening does not remove the need to carry warm and waterproof layers: weather can change quickly on higher ground.</p> <h3> A simple family check before setting off</h3> <ul> <li> Have a look at the mountain forecast as well as the village weather.</li> <li> Check the community paths leaflet and confirm your intended route and start point.</li> <li> Pack waterproof jackets, warm layers, water and snacks, even if the forecast looks settled.</li> <li> Agree on a turnaround time and an easier alternative before leaving the village.</li> <li> Ask whether everyone is still enjoying the walk at regular pauses, rather than waiting for someone to be exhausted.</li> </ul> <h2> Braemar: a low-driving base for family walks</h2> <p> One of Braemar’s strengths is how easy it is to make a walking day flexible. If you are staying in the village, you can begin with a short wander and extend it only if the group is feeling good. There is no need to commit to a long drive just to reach the start of an outing, and you can return to shelter, food or a rest without having to retrace a long car journey.</p> <p> That flexibility is especially useful when walking with children. A plan that includes a shorter option is not a failed version of the main route; it is a way of matching the walk to the day. On a clear, calm morning, the family might be ready for a climb. After rain, a restless night or a late start, a village loop may be exactly right.</p> <h2> Short village and riverside loops</h2> <p> For younger children or a relaxed arrival day, keep to a short village walk or a riverside loop using the paths shown on the local leaflet. These shorter outings offer a chance to stretch legs, notice the river and get a feel for the area without making a big commitment. They are also a useful fallback if the higher route is windy, wet or clouded in.</p> <p> Rather than promising a fixed distance for every possible loop, use the leaflet to choose a start point and length that suit your family. A short out-and-back is easy to adjust: turn around when the children have had enough, or continue a https://fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2026/11/walks-from-braemar-village-paths-birchwoods-and-big-cairngorm-days little farther if everyone is still cheerful. Take care near water, particularly with small children, and keep them close where banks are steep, slippery or fast-flowing.</p> <p> These are good walks for collecting small moments: looking for birds, watching the water, or stopping for a snack on a bench. They may not offer the same wide panorama as a hill, but a calm walk in a beautiful setting can be a better introduction to walking than an uphill test of endurance.</p> <h2> Short climbs with big viewpoints</h2> <p> If your children like a goal, a short climb near Braemar can be more satisfying than a longer, flat walk. Reaching a high point or a viewpoint gives the outing a clear purpose, and the landscape opens up as you gain height. The key is to treat the climb as a choice, not an obligation. If the weather is poor or the youngest walker is already flagging, there is no need to press on just because the view is marked on a map.</p> <p> The Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route can suit families who are comfortable with a longer outing and some uphill effort. It is worth describing the walk to children honestly: there will be more walking than on a village loop, and the climb may take time. Let them know that there will be snack stops and that turning back is always an option. Giving children a say in the pace and breaks can make a substantial difference.</p> <p> For a first hill day, consider a shorter option instead. The choice between a 3km and a 4.5km walk is not just about distance: the shorter walk is a better fit if the children are new to walking, you have a limited weather window, or you want a relaxed day. A 4.5km outing may work well for children who are used to being on their feet but are not ready for a longer climb. Check the terrain and elevation as well as the distance when choosing.</p> <h2> Morrone Birkwood: nature, habitat and care</h2> <p> Morrone Birkwood adds another reason to slow down and look closely. Native birch woodland is valuable habitat, and the transition between woodland, open ground and hill gives children plenty to notice: changes in vegetation, birdsong and the way the landscape opens out as the path rises. A walk here can be about more than reaching a viewpoint; it is also an opportunity to talk about how woodland and other habitats are cared for.</p> <p> Keep to the established paths where possible, take all litter home and avoid disturbing wildlife. If children want to investigate, encourage them to look rather than pick or pull. In a conservation area, small habits matter: staying on the path helps reduce damage to vegetation and lets other visitors enjoy the place too. Check local signs for any current access guidance or seasonal requests.</p> <p> It can be useful to give children a simple nature challenge: spot different leaf shapes, listen for birds, or notice where the woodland ends and more open ground begins. That turns a climb into a series of small discoveries and gives slower walkers something to enjoy while the group takes a breather.</p><p> <img src="https://images.pexels.com/photos/34965714/pexels-photo-34965714.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940" style="max-width:500px;height:auto;" ></img></p> <h2> How to make the 6.5km walk easier for kids</h2> <ol> <li> <strong> Start early enough.</strong> A relaxed start leaves room for snack breaks and avoids having to hurry near the end of the day.</li> <li> <strong> Keep packs light.</strong> Adults should carry the shared essentials; children need only a manageable layer or small snack if appropriate.</li> <li> <strong> Use short goals.</strong> Walk to the next bend, path junction or rest stop rather than focusing on the full distance.</li> <li> <strong> Bring familiar food and water.</strong> A snack can help restore energy, but plan regular drinks and breaks rather than waiting for a child to ask.</li> <li> <strong> Dress for a change in conditions.</strong> Waterproofs and warm layers are useful even on a pleasant morning in the village.</li> <li> <strong> Make turning back normal.</strong> Decide in advance that you will shorten the outing if weather, daylight or energy levels call for it.</li> </ol> <h2> So, is the Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route too long?</h2> <p> For some kids, no: the 6.5km walk can be a memorable family outing, particularly if they are accustomed to walking, conditions are settled and you have plenty of daylight. For others, it may be too much, especially if the climb, weather or pace makes the distance feel longer. There is no single age at which a child is ready; experience, enthusiasm and the day’s conditions count for more than a number.</p> <p> Use Braemar’s village and riverside paths as a low-pressure option, and save the short climbs with big viewpoints for a suitable weather window. If you are uncertain, choose an easier 3km or 4.5km outing, check the Cairngorms National Park Authority community paths leaflet and mountain weather forecast, then build up to the longer route another day. The best family walk is the one everyone finishes with enough energy to want to come back.</p></html>

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Is the Lion’s Face and the Cromlins route too long for kids?