From gentle low-ground walking to the challenges of extreme rock-faces you will find it all here. Long distance routes such as the Capel Mounth lead walkers on to the high and wild moorland plateau between Deeside and the Angus Glens, while the day-long trek to the summit of Lochnagar is justifiably popular and commences at the Glen Muick car park. Tracks through the Mar Lodge Estate near Braemar lead into the central Cairngorms and include the great pass of the Lairig Ghru and the ascent of Ben Macdui. Routes such as these should only be attempted by experienced and well equipped hill walkers.

Wonderful lower level walks include those in the Angus Glens, starting at the car park at the head of Glen Esk, in Glen Doll; in Deeside around Ballater and Braemar and through the pinewoods at Glen Tanar and Cambus O’May. For a spectacular river side walk the path to the Rocks of Solitude near Edzell is hard to beat.

There are great opportunities for all types of on and off road cycling within the area. In Angus the upper reaches of glens such as Clova, Prosen and Esk are easily explored on two wheels, as are the Deeside glens such as Glen Tanar and Glen Muick, while a circular route can be enjoyed from Braemar around the Linn of Dee to the west.

Snow transforms the scene in winter, with ideal terrain for ski touring and excellent facilities in the Glenshee area, with many downhill runs across three valleys and four mountains.

Other activities that can be enjoyed in the area include pony trekking, at Glenisla, Glen Tanar and Balmoral Estate; canoeing on the areas rivers; golf, including Britain’s highest course at Braemar; fishing on the rivers Esk and Dee and numerous stocked lochs across the area; and gliding at the Deeside Gliding Club, Aboyne.